The Outburst in Braamfontein: Wits Students Take to the Streets
On February 20, 2026, scores of students from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) gathered in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, blocking key campus entrances on Yale Road and Empire Road. This marked the fifth day of protests against financial exclusion policies that have left thousands unable to register for the 2026 academic year. Organized primarily by the South African Students Congress (SASCO), the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA), and supported by the Student Representative Council (SRC), demonstrators chanted powerfully, "We'd rather die than go home," highlighting the desperation of students facing exclusion despite National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding approvals.
The protests stem from longstanding frustrations with registration barriers, exacerbated by NSFAS funding delays and inadequate accommodation caps. While Wits has now registered 98% of its students—over 37,000 including 6,000 first-years—the unrest underscores deeper systemic issues in South African higher education.
Understanding Financial Exclusion at Wits University
Financial exclusion refers to university policies that bar students from registering, attending classes, or accessing facilities due to unpaid fees or historical debt. At Wits, students owing more than R10,000 are typically blocked unless they qualify for aid or sign an Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD). For 2026, those with debts under R120,000 can register if they secure funding and sign a Sponsorship AOD, but stricter thresholds apply for others.
This policy aims to ensure sustainability amid Wits' R1.5 billion student debt burden. However, critics argue it disproportionately affects poor students reliant on NSFAS, turning bureaucracy into a gatekeeper. Historical debt—unpaid fees from previous years—compounds the problem, with many owing over R100,000 due to prior NSFAS shortfalls or family hardships.
NSFAS Funding Delays: Bureaucracy Meets Desperation
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), South Africa's primary student funding mechanism for low-income households (under R350,000 annually), approved 660,039 students for 2026, disbursing R3.6 billion to universities. Yet, 116,266 applications were rejected, 85,662 pending verification, and 21,483 incomplete. Delays in confirmations have left funded students like Shongile Mkhatshwa unable to register despite approvals.
A key flashpoint is NSFAS's R45,000-R52,000 accommodation cap, far below Wits residence fees starting at R55,000, which include support services. Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel calls this a 'blanket approach' ignoring institutional realities. Former NSFAS beneficiaries hit by 2023 caps face ongoing blocks unless signing AODs.
The Scale of the Crisis: Numbers Behind the Chaos
Wits registered 37,207 students by early February 2026, but protests revealed thousands sidelined. Nationally, South Africa's higher education faces a capacity crunch: 656,000-900,000 bachelor passes versus ~235,000 university spots, rejecting ~500,000 applicants yearly. NSFAS aids ~1 million, but verification delays and rejections exacerbate exclusion.
In 2025, Wits disbursed R2.3 billion in aid to 29,871 students. For 2026, R20 million Wits Registration Assistance Fund (WRAF) covers 50% of debts up to R50,000 for low-income households (<R600,000), plus R6 million SRC Access Fund. Despite this, protests persist over unaddressed historical debts.
Student Voices: Desperation and Defiance
"We would rather die in the streets of Braamfontein than be deprived of an education," declared student Lebo Sebolao. Zwelimangele Volsaka highlighted debts over R100,000 blocking registration despite academic merit. Suspended SRC secretary-general Antonett Khoza lamented investigations without evidence, leaving her homeless during the 45-day ban.
A PYA member criticized university hypocrisy: demanding fees without issuing qualifications for jobs. These voices echo #FeesMustFall legacy, demanding debt forgiveness and NSFAS reforms. For more on student career paths amid such challenges, explore higher education career advice.
Wits University's Response: Extensions and Aid Funds
Wits extended registration to February 17, 2026, prioritizing NSFAS students via AODs for unpaid prior debts. The WRAF aids 'missing middle' students (income R350k-R600k, ineligible for NSFAS). Postgraduate registrations continue year-round. Despite protests, university insists on sustainability: "Wits remains committed to enabling access within resource limits."
Residence fees rose 4.2% (below 6.2% ministerial cap), with 0% increase in 2025. International students pay 50-75% upfront. Check South African university jobs for opportunities supporting student access.
NSFAS Woes: Caps, Delays, and Systemic Flaws
NSFAS's R45k accom cap ignores rising costs, creating shortfalls. Acting CEO Waseem Carrim noted progress, but verification backlogs persist. Minister Buti Manamela pushes missing-middle expansion and TVET/CET alternatives. SIU recovered R17b from irregularities. Broader reforms aim for sustainability amid 1m+ applicants.
NSFAS official site details eligibility. For faculty roles aiding reforms, see higher ed faculty jobs.Historical Debt: The Vicious Cycle
Many protesters carry debts from NSFAS shortfalls, family crises, or prior exclusions. Wits allows AODs for <R120k if funded, but over that requires full settlement. Total SA student debt exceeds billions, trapping graduates in poverty. Solutions like phased payments help, but protests demand amnesty.
Explore academic CV tips for debt-burdened grads entering university jobs.
South Africa's Higher Education Capacity Crunch
Beyond Wits, SA's system strains: record matric passes (900k+ applicants) vs limited spots. Universities reject 500k yearly; TVETs/CETs underused. Ramaphosa's SONA promised expansions, but implementation lags. Private-public integration proposed to ease pressure.
Human Costs: Dropouts, Mental Health, and Inequality
Exclusion risks dropouts, mental health crises, perpetuating inequality. 'Missing middle' (200k-300k students) falls through cracks. Protests signal failure of post-#FeesMustFall promises. NSFAS aids poor, but delays exacerbate poverty cycles.
Resources like Rate My Professor help navigate studies.
Towards Solutions: Reforms and Stakeholder Dialogues
- Increase NSFAS accom cap to match realities.
- Debt forgiveness for historical shortfalls.
- Expand missing-middle funding (e.g., ISFAP).
- Boost university capacity via new builds/TVET integration.
- Streamline NSFAS verification with AI/digital tools.
SRC pushes Kobo Ya Thuto fund; experts urge public-private partnerships. For jobs driving change, visit higher ed jobs South Africa.
Outlook: Protests as Catalyst for Change?
Wits' 98% registration shows responsiveness, but protests highlight urgency. NSFAS mop-ups continue; government reforms loom. Sustainable access requires political will, beyond reactive aid. Students eye SONA for commitments. Amid challenges, opportunities abound in higher ed recruitment and career advice. Stay informed via Rate My Professor and university jobs.
