The Onset of Protests: NSFAS Delays Fuel Student Anger
In mid-March 2026, tensions at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), a prominent institution in KwaZulu-Natal with approximately 33,000 students across its Durban and Pietermaritzburg campuses, reached a boiling point. Students, many reliant on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)—South Africa's government-funded program providing bursaries covering tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and learning materials for low-income households—protested delays in their allowances. These delays left thousands unable to afford basics like food and transport, exacerbating financial hardships amid rising living costs.
The protests began peacefully but quickly escalated, highlighting systemic issues in higher education funding. DUT, known for its focus on applied sciences, engineering, health sciences, and management programs, serves a diverse student body where NSFAS funding is critical for equity and access. Without timely payments, students faced eviction threats from residences and inability to purchase textbooks, disrupting their studies from the academic year's start.
A Detailed Timeline of Events at DUT Campuses
The sequence of events unfolded rapidly:
- March 17-19: Initial protests at multiple Durban campuses over unpaid allowances affecting over 5,000 students. DUT urged updates to banking details.
- March 19: DUT processes payments for 5,862 students—4,149 for learning materials and 1,713 for living allowances.
- March 23: Protests intensify at Steve Biko, Ritson, and ML Sultan campuses; students forcibly removed from test venues and libraries, with videos showing chaos and police arrival.
- March 24: Violence peaks with vandalism, intimidation, and property damage; four arrests that day, totaling nine. DUT announces full shift to online learning until term end. Deputy Minister of Higher Education visits.
This timeline underscores how administrative glitches snowballed into widespread disruption, affecting core academic activities during critical assessment periods.
From Peaceful Demonstrations to Violent Disruptions
What started as demands for accountability turned violent, involving a small group of 40-50 individuals accused of criminal conduct by DUT management. Protesters damaged university property, staff vehicles, and intimidated peers attempting to write exams. Videos captured students climbing out of windows to join protests, while police intervened to restore order. The university obtained a high court interdict barring further disruptions, emphasizing that such actions threaten the safety of the entire community.
No major injuries were reported, but the psychological toll on students trying to focus on assessments was significant. The Student Representative Council (SRC) distanced itself, condemning unlawful actions and calling for calm.
DUT's Swift Response: Prioritizing Safety and Academics
DUT's leadership acted decisively. Campuses remained open for staff, with laboratories, libraries, and residences operational, but all teaching and learning moved online immediately from March 24, 2026, until the first term's end. This hybrid approach aimed to maintain academic momentum while mitigating risks. "The decision to temporarily move to online teaching and learning is a proactive and responsible measure to ensure the continuation of the academic programme, while prioritising safety," stated the university.
Disciplinary proceedings loom for involved students, potentially leading to suspensions or expulsions. Ongoing collaboration with NSFAS ensured further payments on March 24 for verified accounts, resolving issues for most of the ~700 remaining students.
Photo by Barbara Zandoval on Unsplash
Decoding NSFAS Delays: Common Pitfalls and Systemic Flaws
NSFAS, established post-apartheid to democratize higher education, funds over 1 million students in 2026 with a R54 billion budget, yet faces perennial challenges. At DUT, delays stemmed from:
- Incomplete or incorrect banking details (e.g., invalid account numbers).
- ID-surname mismatches during verification.
- Failure to submit required documents via the student portal.
Nationally, over 100,000 appeals were lodged for 2026 funding, with 22,000 approved but processing backlogs persisting. For deeper insights into NSFAS operations, refer to their official updates.
| Date | Payments Released | Details |
|---|---|---|
| March 19 | 5,862 students | 4,149 learning materials; 1,713 living |
| March 24 | Batch for verified | Ongoing for ~700 pending |
Student Voices: Hardships Beyond the Campus Gates
Many DUT students, often first-generation from rural KZN or township backgrounds, view NSFAS as a lifeline. Delays meant skipped meals, transport struggles, and mounting debt to landlords. One anonymous protester shared on social media: "We can't study hungry." X (formerly Twitter) buzzed with posts showing forceful evictions from test halls and calls for accountability.
The SRC advocated for peaceful resolution, urging updates via DUT's portal. Yet, frustration with perceived inefficiencies fueled militancy, echoing protests at Wits, NMU, and UKZN.
Navigating Online Learning: Challenges and Opportunities
DUT's pivot to virtual platforms tests infrastructure and equity. While tech-savvy programs like engineering benefit, others face connectivity gaps in underserved areas. Step-by-step, lecturers upload materials to learning management systems, conduct live sessions via Zoom equivalents, and proctor exams online. This mirrors COVID-era adaptations but highlights digital divides: not all have reliable internet or devices.
For details on DUT's contingency, see their campus operations update. Success depends on student support, including data allowances for NSFAS recipients.
Wider Ramifications for South African Higher Education
DUT's turmoil reflects national trends: 2026 saw protests at multiple universities over similar NSFAS glitches, fee blocks, and housing shortages. With enrollment booming (nearly 1 million in public higher ed), funding strains intensify. Statistics show 70% of SA graduates prefer trades due to employability concerns, yet access remains gatekept by financial aid hiccups.
Government interventions include NSFAS capacitation and appeals prioritization, but critics call for root fixes like automated verification and blockchain banking.
Towards Resolution: Reforms and Stakeholder Roles
Solutions demand multi-level action:
- NSFAS: Faster verification via AI, partnerships with banks.
- Universities: Proactive financial literacy workshops, backup funding.
- Government: Increased budget, policy tweaks for 2027.
- Students: Timely portal updates, peaceful advocacy.
Deputy Minister's DUT visit signals commitment. Long-term, integrating NSFAS with labor market needs could boost outcomes.
Explore NSFAS challenges in this TimesLIVE report.
Looking Ahead: Lessons for DUT and South African Universities
As DUT stabilizes, the episode underscores higher education's fragility amid funding woes. Positive notes: swift payments resumption, online resilience. Future outlook includes NSFAS app enhancements and campus security upgrades. For students, it reinforces resilience—adapting to online modes prepares for global job markets. Stakeholders must collaborate to prevent recurrences, ensuring SA's youth access quality education unhindered.
For related insights, check the Mercury's coverage.
