UJ students protest over funding

By Ehsan Khaleel
Protests Correspondent, SAM Daily Times

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Students are demonstrating outside the University of Johannesburg (UJ)’s Kingsway Campus on Monday over what they call financial exclusion.

The South African Students Congress (Sasco) raised concerns that many students will not be able to register if government funding is not made available before this year’s cut-off date.

About 40 UJ students are singing, blowing vuvuzelas and holding placards reading, “Say no to financial exclusion”.

Demonstrators claim they’ve been unable to register because the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) cannot adequately cover the costs of their studies.

Almost 3,000 students have met the relevant criteria to qualify for funding.

Protesters are calling for registration to be suspended until they can secure their student loans and bursaries.

UJ Student Representative Council President Levy Masete says it’s unfair that some people are unable to register simply because of a lack of funding.

The problem is not unique to UJ, given that Nsfas covers students all over the country.

Police are monitoring the protest, which is lively but peaceful.

Registration and first year orientation at UJ continues as normal.