Students Launch Total Shutdown Over Residence Woes

Students at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), one of South Africa's oldest universities founded in 1916, have taken decisive action by boycotting all classes in a complete campus shutdown. The protests, centered at the Alice campus in the Eastern Cape, stem from long-standing grievances regarding the poor quality of student accommodation. On March 4, 2026, demonstrators marched through the streets, highlighting conditions in residences managed by private providers like Alley Roads Properties. Led by Student Representative Council (SRC) residence officer Kholelwa Dube, the students presented a memorandum of demands, refusing to resume lectures until property owners address their concerns.

The core issues revolve around undermaintained facilities, including rampant mould growth, substandard mattresses unfit for use, malfunctioning washing machines, and a general lack of upkeep. Dube emphasized the urgency, noting, 'If you go inside these residences, you will see they are undermaintained, there is mould, there are countless issues.' This action disrupts academic life for thousands, underscoring a deeper crisis in higher education housing.

From Mould to Broken Fixtures: A Closer Look at Complaints

The complaints are not isolated but part of a pattern exposed in recent parliamentary oversight visits. Residences at UFH's Alice campus have been described as 'shameful,' with reports of rat infestations, blocked toilets, broken doors, locks, and windows, as well as flooded rooms due to inadequate drainage. Electricity and hot water outages compound the misery, leaving students without basic amenities like functioning lights, heaters, or stoves.

Private accommodations, often NSFAS-funded for low-income students, face similar scrutiny. Alley Roads Properties, responsible for some UFH housing, has been accused of insufficient staffing and care, exacerbating maintenance backlogs. Step-by-step, students report submitting complaints that go unheeded: first verbal requests to residence managers, then formal tickets via university portals, followed by escalation to the SRC—yet repairs lag, forcing prolonged exposure to hazardous conditions.

• Mould and dampness leading to health risks like respiratory issues.
• Inadequate laundry facilities forcing off-campus trips.
• Security gaps with broken locks heightening vulnerability, especially for female students.

These conditions violate minimum health and safety standards set by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), prompting calls for immediate inspections.

The Demands: A 22-Point Call for Justice

Building on February 2026 protests led by the Young Brightest Motivated Minds (YBMM), the current boycott amplifies a comprehensive 22-point memorandum. Key demands include full residence renovations—new beds, curtains, 24-hour security, and disability-friendly infrastructure. Students seek permanent on-campus housing, a R4,500 accommodation allowance for off-campus dwellers, and insourcing of cleaners and security to ensure reliable service.

Financial hurdles feature prominently: unpaid NSFAS meal and book allowances, data bundles, and laptops for remote learning. Registration extensions for quota-blocked and postgraduate students are also prioritized. The memo frames these as essential for equity, arguing that poor and working-class students suffer most from administrative delays and discriminatory policies.

University Response: Concessions Amid Legal Pushback

UFH management has partially responded, approving 90% of SRC-proposed financial concessions, including R18 million in meal allowances and pending NSFAS book payments. Registrations for master's and doctoral students extend to March. However, the university labeled February actions as 'illegal obstruction,' citing a court interdict prohibiting disruptions. Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu has not personally received memos, opting for online events and urging channelled grievances through governance structures.

With 13,000 enrolled undergraduates and postgraduates across campuses, Alice's 6,400 students strain ~6,000 beds, accommodating only 70%. UFH highlights ongoing tenders for 2,034 East London beds (2026-2028) but stresses dialogue over shutdowns.University of Fort Hare

Photo by Jolame Chirwa on Unsplash

South Africa's National Student Housing Shortfall

UFH's turmoil mirrors a national emergency. Public universities face a 110,000+ place deficit for 2026, with thousands of qualified matriculants unplaced. Applications far exceed capacity: University of Johannesburg received 99,472 for limited beds. NSFAS, funding 70% of students, struggles with accreditation and timely payments, leaving many in unsafe private digs.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2026 State of the Nation Address flagged the 'great shortage,' urging infrastructure acceleration. The Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP) plans 27,989 beds, but construction lags.

A Legacy of Unrest at Historic Fort Hare

Founded as the first residential college for Black South Africans, UFH boasts alumni like Nelson Mandela and Robert Sobukwe. Yet, protests recur: October 2025 saw arson destroying heritage buildings amid governance clashes; 2017 boycotts targeted fees and utilities. Parliamentary committees decry 'governance failures' and unsafe housing, demanding leadership accountability.

Human and Academic Toll of the Crisis

Shutdowns delay lectures, risking throughput rates already pressured at 85%. Students face mental health strains from insecure living, with first-years hit hardest—many rural migrants unable to afford alternatives. Gender-based violence risks rise in subpar security settings. Economically, Alice town's businesses suffer from disrupted footfall.

Stakeholders like SASCO express concern over escalation, while SRC presidents like Azole Ntloko defend protests as legitimate amid 'victimisation fears.'

Government and Stakeholder Interventions

DHET Minister Buti Manamela pushes SETA reforms and TVET alignments, but Parliament's Portfolio Committee vows urgent UFH oversight. NSFAS relaunched housing apps for 2026, prioritizing accredited providers. Experts advocate NSFAS funding alignment with academic calendars.Daily Maverick on UFH Unrest

Photo by Clodagh Da Paixao on Unsplash

Pathways to Resolution: Public-Private Partnerships and More

Solutions demand multi-pronged action:

• Public-private partnerships (PPPs) for rapid bed expansion, as at UCT's 79% capacity model.
• NSFAS-accredited off-campus audits to weed out substandard providers.
• Transparent allocation algorithms prioritizing vulnerability.
• Infrastructure bonds funding SHIP acceleration.
• Mental health support hubs on campuses.

Universities like UFH's R419 million Alice village (2021) show promise, but maintenance funds must match.

Outlook: Towards Sustainable Higher Education Housing

While immediate dialogue could end the boycott, systemic reform is key. UFH's renewal under its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan offers hope, emphasizing student success. For aspiring academics and administrators, platforms like university jobs and higher ed career advice provide pathways amid challenges. Engaging rate my professor fosters accountability. With constructive solutions, South Africa's universities can nurture the next generation without sacrificing dignity.