By Zanele Makola
Hundreds of returning Wits University students have embarked on a hunger strike, refusing to eat until their registration issues are resolved. The protest highlights the struggles of postgraduate students who are unable to enrol due to financial constraints.
A group of undergraduate and postgraduate students, excluded from Wits due to outstanding fees, has been occupying the Student Representative Council (SRC) boardroom since last Friday. The university requires students to settle at least R10,000 or half of their debt before they can register.
TUT SRC President stated that this issue arises every year, placing students under immense financial pressure. “Students should be allowed to pay what they can and settle the rest when they have the means. The registration deadline at TUT will be extended until all students are allowed to register—whether they owe R100,000 or R5,000. No student will be left behind,” he said.
Boipelo Setsepu, Wits SRC Deputy President, said the students chose this form of protest to avoid violence. “We wanted to prevent the usual disruptions like blocking gates, clashing with staff, and protesting outside. This way, staff can focus on resolving these urgent issues,” said Setsepu.
Earlier this year, Wits announced it had cleared R63 million in student debt for 800 students and was doing its best to assist within its financial capacity. However, the university stated that it cannot wipe out all historical student debt or fund every student’s education without risking bankruptcy.
Despite growing health concerns, it remains unclear when the hunger strike will end. For now, students insist they will only have their next meal once their demands are met.
