Students at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) staged protests on 26 October 2026 at the Auckland Park Kingsway campus against proposed fee increases for 2027, financial exclusion concerns, and delays in National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances. The unrest disrupted examinations and campus access, but operations resumed shortly after, according to a UJ statement.
Protests temporarily halted exams, with some reports suggesting cancellations, though official confirmation remains unavailable. Multiple media outlets independently confirmed the disruption on the Johannesburg campus. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) denied orchestrating the protests, calling such claims an attempt to discredit the party ahead of the elections, although individual protesters were seen wearing EFF regalia.
Universities South Africa (USAf) CEO Phethiwe Matutu explained that rising operational costs force universities to consider fee increases. “Universities are not spared. They have to pay all these amounts,” she said, citing escalating costs for electricity, water, security, food, cleaning, and staff salaries. She added that government subsidies have not kept pace with inflation and the growing number of students.
Matutu emphasised the unsustainability of the current funding model: “The model we have adopted is unaffordable. And it’s really unsustainable.” She warned that without adjustments, universities risk bankruptcy, which would jeopardise the future of higher education for South Africa’s youth. She also noted a significant NSFAS funding shortfall of approximately R10 billion for the current financial year.
The protests highlight a broader national tension between rising university costs and the financial pressures faced by students from low-income households. Students argue that fee hikes and delayed allowances exacerbate financial exclusion, restricting access to higher education. Meanwhile, universities are grappling with insufficient public funding and operational demands.
UJ confirmed that normal academic activities, including exams and classes, resumed swiftly after the protest disruptions. Details regarding the scale of any property damage and whether arrests were made remain unverified, with no official police confirmation as of yet.
The fee increase proposal and its final figure have not been publicly detailed by UJ. The protest and financial challenges at UJ serve as a case study of the wider funding crisis affecting South African universities, where sustainable funding solutions remain elusive amid growing student populations and economic pressures.
The Cape Flats News journalist will continue to monitor developments surrounding the proposed fee increase, the university’s response, and any further student actions.