As universities prepare to reopen this week, historical debt is set to drive some students into despair, while some institutions say unpaid fees are having a negative impact on their operations.
At least four universities surveyed by Sowetan that are owed a combined total of R2.8bn said they will make arrangements for owing students to pay their outstanding fees, including by way of acknowledgement of debt.
Last year, student debt plunged some universities into chaos, with protests over financial exclusion as a result of debt relief measures implemented by the institutions.
Wamkela Konzi, a third-year student at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) ,said she had faced the financial exclusion predicament before. Konzi is one of the so called missing middle students - those who do not qualify for a National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary but cannot afford to pay steep university fees.
She said she owes the university in excess of R28,000 and is unable to register unless she pays the outstanding fees.
“Classes resume tomorrow and I’m not registered. Last year, I couldn’t study for the very same reason and I ended up taking jobs to fill the gap,” she said.
Konzi said she had applied to be exempted from paying registration and also to have her historic debt written off.
“Unfortunately, according to the criteria, I’m not poor enough to qualify for NSFAS and I appealed this. My mom and I tried to apply for Edu-Loan but didn’t qualify because my mom is retiring this year. I’m hoping that by the time the extension [of registration] lapses, I would’ve come up with the money,” Konzi said.
Fort Hare University student Asemahle Ntshibilili said he was unable to register for his honours as he owed R98,000.
“I registered and studied towards my postgraduate certificate in education but midway was told that it wasn’t funded by NSFAS. I couldn’t pay for it because my dad is 74 years old and we rely solely on his wages from the odd jobs he does,” Ntshibilili said.
“I’m extremely stressed and I don’t want to stress my parents any further. The whole reason I wanted to do my honours was because I couldn’t find a job and instead of sitting at home, I want to further my studies.”
Ntshibilili said registration had been extended until Friday and he was praying for a miracle.
The SA Union of Students president, Yandisa Ndzoyiya, said the majority of the missing middle students end up being academically excluded. He said they were campaigning for the threshold of students qualifying for NSFAS to be increased to cover some of the missing middle students.
“We want the system structured in a way that includes the missing middle because they fall just outside the bracket even though they face many challenges,” he said.
Wits University SRC president Cebolenkosi Khumalo said he has raised R12m for the benefit of 2,000 students who faced financial exclusion by walking to Union Buildings in Pretoria recently.
Khumalo said the money will clear a portion of their debt and help them register for this academic year.
“This is a passion project for me as I’ve seen and experienced the adverse effects of financial exclusion and the resulting protests. However, following the tragic death in March 2021 of Mthokozisi Ntumba, who was killed in a crossfire between students and police, as the SRC we had to look at peaceful ways to raise the funds,” Khumalo said.
A second-year electrical engineering student at the Vaal University of University who wanted to remain anonymous said despite qualifying for NSFAS was also blocked from registering.
“I’m stressed because we’re told to pay registration fees and I honestly can’t afford to pay it. I owe the school R101,667,” the student said.
Tshwane University of Technology spokesperson Phaphama Tshisikhawe said the university was owed an estimated R1.51bn which had a negative impact on the university’s operations.
The university will make provision for the acknowledgement of debt process for the payment of outstanding fees.
“The university will make it possible for owing students to pay outstanding fees in instalments even after registration,” Tshisikhawe said.
University of Cape Town spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala said the university’s cumulative debt was at R317.8m of which R194.4m in outstanding tuition was from last year.
Shabalala said the university has put measures in place to assist eligible students with historic debt.
University of Johannesburg spokesperson Herman Esterhuizen said the university was owed R580m by registered and unregistered students.
“Students are required to sign an acknowledgement of debt, 50% outstanding fees must be paid back upfront,” he said adding that student debt was a risk for most higher institutions.
“It is impacting the university ‘s operations because the money owed for tuition contributes towards the efficient and effective running of the university.” He said UJ continues to raise funds to assist academically deserving missing middle’ students.
NMU spokesperson Zandile Mbabela said the university was owed over R322m.
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