- UCT students have protested for the removal of fee blocks, expanded housing, and a more inclusive financial aid policy, causing major disruptions to the academic year.
- The university has responded by moving some courses online and holding emergency meetings with student leaders, but protests may escalate if demands are not met.
- Students, especially from the “missing middle,” are frustrated by unresolved housing and financial exclusion issues, with some threatening an academic boycott.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is facing a wave of student protests as irate students demand action on accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion, marking a turbulent start to the current academic year.
The protests, which began on Monday 17 February, the first day of classes, have caused significant disruptions, forcing the university to move many courses online.
Protesters blocked campus entrances and occupied various university spaces, including lecture halls and the library, demanding immediate intervention from management.
“We will not back down until the university lifts fee blocks and provides adequate housing for all students,” said Students’ Representative Council (SRC) President Thando Lukhele.
“It is unacceptable that students are sleeping in lecture halls and SRC offices because they have nowhere else to go.”
At the heart of the protests are fee blocks preventing students from registering due to outstanding fees. Activists are calling for the immediate lifting of these blocks for those in good academic standing. The ongoing housing crisis has left many students without accommodation, forcing some to seek temporary shelter in university buildings.
The students are demanding expanded housing options and a fairer allocation process. Financial exclusion remains a pressing issue, particularly for students from the “missing middle” who do not qualify for government funding but cannot afford tuition.
Demonstrators are calling for a more inclusive financial aid policy to address these gaps.
UCT management has acknowledged the protests and the legitimacy of student concerns but has expressed frustration over the disruptions.
“While we respect the students’ right to protest, we cannot condone actions that interfere with academic activities and access to campus facilities,” said Vice-Chancellor Prof Mosa Moshabela.
“We are actively engaging with student leaders to find a way forward.”
In response to the unrest, the university has transitioned several in-person classes to an online format and shifted library services to virtual platforms. Emergency meetings between management and student representatives are underway to address the crisis.
Despite these measures, students remain defiant, warning that further inaction from the university could escalate protests.
“An academic boycott is on the table.”
Many affected students have voiced their frustration, with some expressing disillusionment at what they see as the university’s failure to address these recurring issues.
“I came here to study, but I can’t even register because of unpaid fees,” said second-year student Sibusiso Mthembu.
“This is not just about me, it’s about thousands of us who are being locked out of education.”
As the protests continue, all eyes remain on UCT’s next move. The university has promised further engagements with student leaders, but with no concrete solutions in place, the standoff shows no signs of ending soon.
For now, the UCT community is bracing for continued disruptions, with students determined to keep up the pressure until their demands are met.
