In the landscape of South African higher education, student protests have long been a barometer of deeper systemic challenges within universities and colleges. Once a powerful force capable of halting national conversations and prompting policy shifts, these demonstrations have evolved into more fragmented events that struggle to resonate beyond individual campuses. This shift from system-shakers—epitomized by the #FeesMustFall movement—to what some observers describe as barely rattling the gates reflects not just changing tactics but enduring issues like funding delays, mounting student debt, and acute accommodation shortages.

The Explosive Origins: #FeesMustFall and Its Immediate Impact

The #FeesMustFall protests of 2015 and 2016 marked a watershed in South African university history. Sparked by proposed tuition hikes of 10-12% at institutions like the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), the movement rapidly spread nationwide, encompassing 26 public universities. Students demanded not only fee freezes but a complete overhaul of higher education funding, decolonization of curricula, and an end to outsourcing of campus workers. Demonstrations involved occupations, marches to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, and clashes with police, leading to campus shutdowns and significant disruptions.

The protests achieved tangible wins: President Jacob Zuma announced no fee increases for 2016, and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)—a government program providing loans and bursaries to low-income students—was expanded dramatically. Enrollment in public universities surged, with funding rising from R15 billion annually pre-2015 to R40 billion by recent years, injecting over R200 billion into the sector since 2017. However, the movement also inflicted R786 million in damages across 13 institutions between 2016 and 2018, highlighting the high cost of such activism.

Post-#FeesMustFall: Achievements Tempered by Persistent Challenges

A decade on, the legacy of #FeesMustFall is mixed. NSFAS now supports over 1 million students for 2026, with 626,000 first-time applicants provisionally approved and R54 billion allocated in the national budget. Yet, the system grapples with inefficiencies: historical debt totals R45 billion from pre-2018 loans, and allegations of R3.1 billion paid annually to 158,000 'ghost' students undermine trust. Enrollment boomed—202,000 first-time students admitted in 2025 against 337,000 qualifiers—but infrastructure lagged, exacerbating crises.

Experts like Jonathan Jansen, a professor at Stellenbosch University, note improvements in audits and monitoring but warn that poorer institutions like the University of Fort Hare remain vulnerable to corruption, diluting protest gains.

Triggers of Contemporary Unrest: NSFAS Delays and Exclusionary Policies

Today's student protests in South African universities are triggered by immediate survival issues. NSFAS payment glitches and delays—such as March 2026 allowances at Durban University of Technology (DUT)—force students into desperation. At the University of Johannesburg (UJ), nearly 100,000 accommodation applications overwhelmed available beds, while NSFAS processed 224,000 housing requests but received only 148,000 signed leases.

Registration blocks for historical debt, as at the University of the Free State (UFS), and unaccredited private housing add fuel. These echo #FeesMustFall but lack its breadth, often confined to specific grievances like top-up fees at the University of Pretoria (UP).

Case Study: Escalation at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

At CPUT, protests in early 2026 over proposed fee hikes and NSFAS delays led to marches on Parliament and suspensions of over five students. Demands included immediate allowances and debt relief, with private security and police deployed. Similar to UFS, where campuses shut over debt policies, these events highlight how universities' financial pressures—R14 billion owed by NSFAS—spill onto students.

Devastation at University of Fort Hare: A Turning Point?

The most destructive recent episode unfolded at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in October 2025, where protests demanding Vice-Chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu's ouster escalated to arson, destroying four to six buildings and irreplaceable research materials. Repair costs: R250-500 million. Buhlungu alleged political orchestration and criminal infiltration, a claim echoed in parliamentary hearings. Campuses closed, students evacuated, underscoring violence's counterproductive nature.

Read more on the UFH crisis in this Times Higher Education analysis.

Fragmentation and Muted Resonance: Why Less Effective Now

Unlike #FeesMustFall's unified digital mobilization via social media, current protests are localized and prone to violence, alienating support. Universities South Africa (USAf) labels them 'misdirected,' urging dialogue over blockades. Adam Habib, former Wits Vice-Chancellor, argues violence undermines legitimacy: "You can’t advance free education by burning buildings." Securitization—private guards, interdicts—neutralizes disruptions, while online learning sustains operations, as at DUT and UFH.

• Weakened student organizations post-2016.
• Government fatigue and budget constraints.
• Criminal hijacking erodes public sympathy.
• Shift to symptoms (delays) over systemic reform.

Stakeholder Perspectives: A Kaleidoscope of Views

Students see protests as rightful resistance to exclusion; Pikolomzi Qaba notes misdirected anger at unis for NSFAS failings. University leaders like Buhlungu decry criminality, while USAf's Phethiwe Matutu blames inadequate state funding. Government, via Minister Nobert Manamela, promises 'war rooms' for 2026 readiness but faces criticism for deprioritization. Experts advocate constructive dialogue.

Educational and Research Disruptions: Hidden Costs

Protests erode learning: UFS suspended activities, Fort Hare lost exam papers and genetic archives. Research output suffers, with R600 million potential losses cited in past waves. Chronic disruptions hinder South Africa's youth—one-third aged 15-34—from skills development.

Pathways Forward: Reforms and Constructive Alternatives

Solutions demand multi-stakeholder action:

• NSFAS decentralization for faster payments.
• National debt relief and housing partnerships (e.g., 500 new beds at UCT).
• New universities/TVETs to match qualifiers.
• Conflict resolution services per Qaba.

Check Universities SA's stance on debt-linked protests for deeper insights.

Outlook: Rattling Gates or Renewed Shaking?

While current unrest barely rattles national gates, unresolved issues risk escalation. With NSFAS stabilizing for 2026 via audits, and calls for accountability, a return to constructive activism could revive impact. South African universities must prioritize access with dignity to prevent cycles of exclusion.

Explore university career opportunities at AcademicJobs South Africa.

Photo by Todd Greene on Unsplash