A NIGHT OUTSIDE THE PALACE SRC LEADS A DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE NSFAS ACCOMMODATION CAP

Banathi Nkehli and Kirsten Minnaar

On 16 February, the SRC organised an independent demonstration against the NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) cap of R45 000 per annum on private accredited accommodation. The past couple of years saw a steady increase of funds that resulted in 2022’s R60 000 accommodation allowance. While the decrease itself was drastic, what was more alarming was that NSFAS did not communicate with affected parties. The change in policy direction has affected approximately 6 000 students, leaving them without accommodation or with potential debt. As a result, the demonstration entailed that students sleep outside 90 Duxbury Road in solidarity with students affected by NSFAS’s decision.

Left to sleep outside – Students affected by the Accommodation Cap

Following exchanges with NSFAS through the university, the UP SRC released a statement on 15 February, which read, “NSFAS has rejected the accommodation cap exemption application and as such… the accommodation cap will be implemented as proposed by NSFAS policy.” In addition, the statement elaborated further on an emergency meeting that would be convened between UP management and the UP SRC on the morning of 16 February.

On 16 February, the UP SRC released another statement which began, “After today’s meeting with the executive management [of the University], we have realised that there is no solution to the accommodation crisis on the University’s side. The proposed solutions that we tabled were deemed impossible to achieve because of major issues including major legal battles with private stakeholders.” On the same day, a poster was uploaded to the UP SRC Instagram stating, “The SRC is holding an independent demonstration against the NSFAS cap, please join if you stand in solidarity with affected students. The demonstration is at Duxbury 90…” The notice on the poster stressed, “The SRC is not affiliated with any political structure.”

The demonstration

The demonstration took on a simple but provocative form; the idea was that students participating would sleep outside the TuksRes offices on 90 Duxbury Road as an overt statement on student homelessness caused by the NSFAS cap. Mattresses were provided, alongside some rudimentary food and water for those participating.

The event saw participation from a wide array of students acting in different capacities; chief among the participants was the incumbent chairperson of the Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO), Shaina Moses. When asked to explain her reasons for being a part of the protest action, Moses explained, “DASO took part in the demonstration to stand in solidarity with students who are affected by the NSFAS cap. Witnessing our peers feel hopeless at the thought of not having a roof over their heads is something that DASO cannot and will not allow.”

Speaking on behalf of the organisers of the demonstration, SRC President Njabulo Sibeko explained the SRC’s participation: “We are standing in solidarity with students who don’t want to put their parents in debt, or to force themselves into an agreement that they cannot uphold. We are here for the students who just don’t have a plan B… We are trying to raise awareness to let the world know that the University of Pretoria is allowing their students to sleep outside and be homeless, TuksRes has no space, and placement isn’t taking any more people.”

Was the demonstration political? / Was it partisan? / Neither?

A constitutive question that surrounds the discourse concerning the demonstration is whether this was a ‘political’ demonstration. This question is not unfounded given the overt partisan presence on both days of the demonstration. On the first evening of the demonstration, students were seen in Economic Freedom Fighter Student Command (EFFSC) regalia, and Moses, in her capacity as chairperson of DASO, was wearing DASO regalia. This is in spite of the notice put out by the UP SRC. The following morning, other political actors could be seen gathered in the surrounding area of Duxbury Road and Prospect Street in full political regalia; these actors included the chairperson of Action SA’s UP Chapter, Moses Modisane, and SASCO members. When asked about the partisan presence, Modisane said, “Essentially, the demonstration was/is for all students to attend. Politically affiliated or not. However, the objective of the demonstration set out by the SRC had to remain the same for all – stand in solidarity with the students affected by the cap.”

Adding to the confusion concerning the political or, more accurately, partisan confusion, the EFFSC sent out an email and posters. The posters read, “Join the EFFSC UP TuksRes offices shutdown to demand the revoking of accreditation for private accommodations above the NSFAS cap.” The address listed was also 90 Duxbury Road. The email went into further specifics, and also stated, “Revoke accommodation accreditation.” The additional information in the email included an allusion to the registration crisis, where students cannot afford to pay the registration fees for the 2023 academic year.

The impact of the partisan confusion could be felt in the absence of UP’s residence structures, who withdrew their support upon discovering the EFFSC’s emails and posters. This was confirmed by Residences Officer Francois Du Plessis, who refused to comment further on the matter.

The outcome

The outcome of the protests was a response from the University of Pretoria, posted on 17 February, as well as a statement from the Feenstra property group, which owns accommodations like Studios @ Burnett and Hatfield Studios. The University stated, “The University of Pretoria is disappointed in NSFAS’s rejection of the exemption application made by the University…The University of Pretoria is not in a financial position to fund the difference between the actual and capped amounts.” In response, the Feenstra property group sent out an email stating, “We agree to make a concession to rental rates of specific room types addressing the capped NSFAS rate… We urge students and the University of Pretoria to join us in the discussions with NSFAS as we seek to find a long-term sustainable solution.” In addition, Respublica Life made a similar announcement: “Respublica’s rental rates at Hatfield Square, Eastwood Village and Urban Nest will be temporarily revised to accommodate as many NSFAS students as possible.”