Phiwkuhle Mothemela
The academic year got off to a rocky start at Nelson Mandela University where returning students blocked the entrances to both north and south campuses in Gqeberha on Monday, citing several unresolved issues with the institution.
A large group of students from the EFF student command, Daso and SASCO, sang struggle songs, while some carried placards demanding NMU send the "clearance SMS's" from the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which will allow them to register and access student accommodation.
The students said the academic year cannot start is some of them cannot register, do not have accommodation, or cannot get to their classes from their off-campus residences.
NMU spokesperson Zandile Ngwendu said university staff is working around the clock to address these issues, however, she said some are out of the university’s control.
She said the university would continue to engage the SRC to iron out these issues.
SRC president Lathitha Mbuzwana, said they had exhausted all communication avenues with the university and were not willing to engage in any "further boardroom meetings".
“We have written to the vice-chancellor, and the dean of students trying to resolve the matter before it got out of hand, but to no avail. That is why we see ourselves here,” he said.
Mbuzwana listed a string of issues that they want addressed, including university funding for students as well as NSFAS funding.
He says they have been pleading with the University's financial aid offices to release clearance SMS' from NSFAS, saying that the student financial aid scheme had already provided the institution with a list of names of funded students.
According to him, what the University needs to do now is to inform those students so that they can register.
“If you aren’t registered, you cannot get accommodation and if you are not cleared, you cannot study,” Mbuzwana adds.
The University said in a Facebook post on Monday, that it is aware of the protests and engaging with all relevant stakeholders to address the situation
"University operations, including academic and administrative activities, will continue as planned. Lectures will continue and further updates will be communicated,' the post reads.
