ZAStudentNews

CUT Welkom Students Rise as Management Turns a Deaf Ear

How Long Must CUT Welkom Students Beg to Be Heard?

On Monday, 13 April 2026, students of the Central University of Technology (CUT) Welkom Campus embarked on a protest following years of unresolved grievances and ongoing neglect by campus and institutional management. The demonstration, now entering its second day, comes after repeated written engagements by student representatives that have been met with silence, delays, and what these affected students describe as arrogance at the highest levels of management.
According to these consent students , the protest was not spontaneous. For months, and in some cases years, the Student Representative Council (SRC) and other student formations have formally written to management raising critical concerns that directly affect students’ ability to study, live, and survive with dignity.

One of the key grievances remains the issue of non-accredited accommodation rental payments. Students insist that management is aware that Welkom Campus still faces a serious shortage of student beds. Another major issue is the failure to insource cleaning and security staff.

Despite assurances made during the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee visit in 2025, students say infrastructure at Welkom Campus remains neglected. Campus residences are reportedly in poor condition, with two student residences requiring urgent maintenance.
Sports facilities—including football, cricket, netball, and basketball grounds—are also said to be dilapidated, depriving students of holistic campus life and wellness opportunities.

“Empty Promises, Empty Stomachs: CUT Welkom Students Take a Stand”

A proposal for food parcels for unfunded students was agreed upon by both management and the SRC. However, since the start of the academic year, students say nothing has materialised, forcing many to attend classes on empty stomachs.

The state of student health services remains deeply concerning. The campus clinic is reportedly understocked with medication and suffers from a shortage of doctors, nurses, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals

A Clarion call

ZA Student News calls on students across South Africa to stand in solidarity with CUT Welkom students. This struggle is not isolated—it reflects a broader crisis of inequality, neglect, and exclusion within higher education institutions.
When students are forced to protest for beds, food, healthcare, and voice, the system has failed them.

SA Universties Academic Registration Date - 2026

Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT): First-year off-campus/online registration: January 20 to February 6. Returning students: January 12 to January 30. 
• Central University of Technology (CUT): First-time entering students: January 19 to 23. Senior students: January 27 to 30. Master’s and Doctorate (continuing): Until February 28. 
• Durban University of Technology (DUT): First-year students: Starting around January 12 (online earlier). Detailed schedules available on the DUT website. 
• Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT): Annual and first-semester registration (all students): January 19 to 30. Late registration: February 2 to 6. 
• Nelson Mandela University (NMU): Online registration: January 15 to February 28. Late registration closes February 28. 
• North-West University (NWU): General registration: January 19 to February 7. Returning students: Starting January 27. 
• Rhodes University (RU): Returning students online administrative registration: January 12 to February 20. First-year students: January 30 (from 18:00) to February 2.  
• Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU): Returning undergraduate and postgraduate students: January 6 to 21. Commencement for all: January 6.  
• Sol Plaatje University (SPU): First-year students: January 26 to February 6. Residence registration: January 23 to 24 (after academic registration).  
• Stellenbosch University (SU): Online for senior students: Starting January 12. First-year students: Starting January 22. Assisted registration into early February. 
• Tshwane University of Technology (TUT): Online registration: January 15 to February 1. 
• University of Cape Town (UCT): Online registration: January 19 to February 13. Assisted registration: January 21 to February 7. 
• University of Fort Hare (UFH): Undergraduate, Honours, Postgraduate Certificates, Diplomas & Master’s by Coursework: January 6 to 30. Late registration (selected programmes): February 2 to 20. 
• University of the Free State (UFS): Online registration: January 2 to February 6. 
• University of Johannesburg (UJ): Senior/returning students: January 12 to February 6. First-year students: January 13 to February 6. 
• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): Returning students: Starting January 6. First-year students: February 2 to 7. 
• University of Limpopo (UL): First-year students: January 22 to February 6. Returning students: Starting January 9. 
• University of Mpumalanga (UMP): First-year online: January to 30; in-person: January 26 to 30. Returning: January 6 to February 6; in-person: February 2 to 6. 
• University of Pretoria (UP): Online for current students: Starting January 5. New students: Starting January 17. Assisted until February 6. 
• University of South Africa (UNISA): Registration opens January 7; closes between February 20 and March 31 (depending on qualification). 
• University of Venda (UNIVEN): First-time entering and returning students: January 12 to 30. 
• University of the Western Cape (UWC): New/first-time entry students: January 9 to 30. Returning/undergraduate/Honours/PG diploma/certificate/Master’s/PhD: January 9 to February 6. 
• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits): Online registration: January 2 to February 2. Assisted registration: January 15 to 22 (by faculty). 
• University of Zululand (UNIZULU): Online registration: January 6 to February 13. 
• Vaal University of Technology (VUT): First-time entering: January 19 until quotas filled. Senior students: January 23 to February 1. Postgraduates: January 8 to March 31. 
• Walter Sisulu University (WSU): Returning students and new with firm admission: Starting January 7. First-year students: Starting January 15.

to all students in the higher education sector and even to student activists who have dedicated their time to advance the interests of the marginalised.
Happy new year🔥🔥❤️🎉🎉🥳

Breaking: WSU Students Escalate Concerns Over Results Withholding, Fee Hikes & Security Cuts

The Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has penned a strong letter (dated 22 December 2025) to Council Chairperson Prof T Ngcukaitobi, highlighting unresolved issues that could disrupt the 2026 academic year.

Key Points from the ISRC Letter:
• Withheld Exam Results & Debt Orders: Many final-year students haven’t received results due to unexpected “debit orders” for historical debts they knew nothing about. This affects access to transcripts, supplementary exams, and even funded students. Management previously downplayed the issue despite repeated meetings.

• Proposed Fee Increases: CFO pushes for registration fee hike to R6500 (from R5000), rejecting student proposals to limit rises to tuition/accommodation only. ISRC argues the university isn’t heavily reliant on registration fees (often reclaimed via NSFAS) and calls for alternative revenue solutions to avoid barring access.

• Security Guard Reductions: Four private security companies on campus have been instructed to cut guard numbers since April 2025, raising safety risks for students and potential community tensions.

The ISRC urges urgent intervention for a stable start to 2026, warning these issues are worsening without proper consultation.📖

This comes amid ongoing tensions at WSU, with recent SAHRC reports on past unrest citing unresolved grievances.

Students affected? Share your stories (anonymously OK) via DM – let’s amplify voices across SA campuses.
Stay updated, stay safe. 💡🔥🫡💪