{"id":43698,"date":"2025-02-25T06:01:52","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T04:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T00:02:06","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T22:02:06","slug":"uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/","title":{"rendered":"UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>UCT students have protested for the removal of fee blocks, expanded housing, and a more inclusive financial aid policy, causing major disruptions to the academic year.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The university has responded by moving some courses online and holding emergency meetings with student leaders, but protests may escalate if demands are not met.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Students, especially from the \u201cmissing middle,\u201d are frustrated by unresolved housing and financial exclusion issues, with some threatening an academic boycott.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The University of Cape Town (UCT) is facing a wave of student protests as irate students demand action on accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion, marking a turbulent start to the current academic year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The protests, which began on Monday 17 February, the first day of classes, have caused significant disruptions, forcing the university to move many courses online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Protesters blocked campus entrances and occupied various university spaces, including lecture halls and the library, demanding immediate intervention from management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe will not back down until the university lifts fee blocks and provides adequate housing for all students,\u201d said Students\u2019 Representative Council (SRC) President Thando Lukhele. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt is unacceptable that students are sleeping in lecture halls and SRC offices because they have nowhere else to go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the heart of the protests are fee blocks preventing students from registering due to outstanding fees. Activists are calling for the immediate lifting of these blocks for those in good academic standing. The ongoing housing crisis has left many students without accommodation, forcing some to seek temporary shelter in university buildings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The students are demanding expanded housing options and a fairer allocation process. Financial exclusion remains a pressing issue, particularly for students from the \u201cmissing middle\u201d who do not qualify for government funding but cannot afford tuition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Demonstrators are calling for a more inclusive financial aid policy to address these gaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div contenteditable=\"false\" data-embed24=\"Images\" data-pos=\"Middle\" id=\"embed_2a7bbc36\">\n<div class=\"slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"student accommodation\" data-smallsrc=\"https:\/\/cdn.24.co.za\/files\/Cms\/General\/d\/12740\/d8f6891b6fc647e6ab8facbc1fc72acf.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6869f73c4cef43038cbab427ce043b55.jpg\" title=\"The University of Cape Town (UCT) is facing a wave of student protests as students demand action on accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion, marking a turbulent start to the 2025 academic year.PHOTO: supplied\"><p><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption\">The University of Cape Town (UCT) is facing a wave of student protests as students demand action on accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion, marking a turbulent start to the 2025 academic year.PHOTO: supplied<\/div>\n<div class=\"img_accreditation\"><span class=\"source\" style=\"display:none;\"><\/span><span class=\"photographer\" style=\"display:none;\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>UCT management has acknowledged the protests and the legitimacy of student concerns but has expressed frustration over the disruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhile we respect the students\u2019 right to protest, we cannot condone actions that interfere with academic activities and access to campus facilities,\u201d said Vice-Chancellor Prof Mosa Moshabela. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are actively engaging with student leaders to find a way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In response to the unrest, the university has transitioned several in-person classes to an online format and shifted library services to virtual platforms. Emergency meetings between management and student representatives are underway to address the crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite these measures, students remain defiant, warning that further inaction from the university could escalate protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div contenteditable=\"false\" data-embed24=\"Blockquote\" data-pos=\"Middle\" id=\"embed_701454f0\">\n<div class=\"text\">If our demands are ignored, we will have no choice but to intensify our demonstrations.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAn academic boycott is on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many affected students have voiced their frustration, with some expressing disillusionment at what they see as the university\u2019s failure to address these recurring issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI came here to study, but I can\u2019t even register because of unpaid fees,\u201d said second-year student Sibusiso Mthembu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is not just about me, it\u2019s about thousands of us who are being locked out of education.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the protests continue, all eyes remain on UCT\u2019s next move. The university has promised further engagements with student leaders, but with no concrete solutions in place, the standoff shows no signs of ending soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, the UCT community is bracing for continued disruptions, with students determined to keep up the pressure until their demands are met.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The University of Cape Town (UCT) is facing a wave of student protests as irate students demand action on accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion, marking a turbulent start to the current academic year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":43703,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"3066db86-8bc0-4a92-be3c-a36d6b30e266","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"Namhla Monakali","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-43698","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.9 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion | People&#039;s Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The University of Cape Town (UCT) is facing a wave of student protests as irate students demand action on accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion, marking a turbulent start to the current academic year.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"People&#039;s Post\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-25T04:01:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-19T22:02:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"913\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Namhla Monakali\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@thepeoplespost\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@thepeoplespost\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"People&#039;s Post\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"People's Post\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a55ab3f8723ad7eb7c816b50d6f060e0\"},\"headline\":\"UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-25T04:01:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-19T22:02:06+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":601,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/\",\"name\":\"UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion | People&#039;s Post\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-25T04:01:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-19T22:02:06+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg\",\"width\":1600,\"height\":913,\"caption\":\"A UCT student sends out a clear message during the protest on Monday 17 February. PHOTO: supplied\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/\",\"name\":\"People's Post\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Peoples Post\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/peoples-post-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/peoples-post-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Peoples Post\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/thepeoplespost\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/peoplespostnewspaper\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@peoplespostnewsCPT\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a55ab3f8723ad7eb7c816b50d6f060e0\",\"name\":\"People's Post\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"People's Post\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peoplespost\\\/author\\\/peoplespost\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion | People&#039;s Post","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion","og_description":"The University of Cape Town (UCT) is facing a wave of student protests as irate students demand action on accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion, marking a turbulent start to the current academic year.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/","og_site_name":"People&#039;s Post","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper","article_published_time":"2025-02-25T04:01:52+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-19T22:02:06+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1600,"height":913,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Namhla Monakali","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@thepeoplespost","twitter_site":"@thepeoplespost","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"People's Post","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/"},"author":{"name":"People's Post","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/person\/a55ab3f8723ad7eb7c816b50d6f060e0"},"headline":"UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion","datePublished":"2025-02-25T04:01:52+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-19T22:02:06+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/"},"wordCount":601,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/","name":"UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion | People&#039;s Post","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg","datePublished":"2025-02-25T04:01:52+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-19T22:02:06+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg","width":1600,"height":913,"caption":"A UCT student sends out a clear message during the protest on Monday 17 February. PHOTO: supplied"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-faces-student-protests-over-accommodation-shortages-fee-blocks-and-financial-exclusion-20250225\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"UCT faces student protests over accommodation shortages, fee blocks, and financial exclusion"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/","name":"People's Post","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#organization","name":"Peoples Post","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/peoples-post-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/peoples-post-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Peoples Post"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PeoplesPostNewsPaper","https:\/\/x.com\/thepeoplespost","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/peoplespostnewspaper\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@peoplespostnewsCPT"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/#\/schema\/person\/a55ab3f8723ad7eb7c816b50d6f060e0","name":"People's Post","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/7ea284cb64e6d80623a001a22682bdd8e89e02e917c1f92b662fe747122e799b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"People's Post"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/author\/peoplespost\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fb2f4f397077461d808c4d34deba72aa.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":301594,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-eviction-bid-dismissed-as-court-upholds-housing-protections-for-former-students\/","url_meta":{"origin":43698,"position":0},"title":"UCT eviction bid dismissed as court upholds housing protections for former students","author":"People's Post","date":"5 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Court dismisses UCT eviction bid, ruling housing protections apply to former students occupying parking lot after residence eviction.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Western Cape High Court has dismissed UCT\u2019s bid to evict former students from a campus parking area, citing housing protections under eviction law.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/UCT.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/UCT.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/UCT.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/UCT.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":50056,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-protests-result-in-popula-mathematics-contest-to-be-put-on-hold-20230425\/","url_meta":{"origin":43698,"position":1},"title":"UCT protests result in popular mathematics contest to be put on hold","author":"People's Post","date":"25 April 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Student protests at the University of Cape Town (UCT) have resulted in the postponement of the academic institution\u2019s annual mathematics competition.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ae929c1716d4728b19d871d55f71cef.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ae929c1716d4728b19d871d55f71cef.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ae929c1716d4728b19d871d55f71cef.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ae929c1716d4728b19d871d55f71cef.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ae929c1716d4728b19d871d55f71cef.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5ae929c1716d4728b19d871d55f71cef.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54684,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-students-protest-amidst-src-rape-allegation-20220202\/","url_meta":{"origin":43698,"position":2},"title":"UCT students protest amidst SRC rape allegation","author":"People's Post","date":"2 February 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Accusations of sexual harassment and rape levelled at the president of the University of Cape Town\u2019s Student Representative Council (SRC) have led to students protesting at several locations on UCT campuses today (Wednesday 2 February).","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fbc2d34c341e40a988ce166d3584f570.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fbc2d34c341e40a988ce166d3584f570.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fbc2d34c341e40a988ce166d3584f570.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/fbc2d34c341e40a988ce166d3584f570.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":302645,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/muhammed-coker-mccall-macbain-scholarship-uct-mcgill\/","url_meta":{"origin":43698,"position":3},"title":"UCT scholar Muhammed Coker wins $40 000 McCall MacBain Scholarship","author":"People's Post","date":"20 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Muhammed Coker has won a $40 000 McCall MacBain Scholarship to study Agricultural Economics at McGill University in Canada.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Muhammed Coker, UCT Mandela Rhodes Foundation scholar and McCall MacBain Scholarship winner, who will study Agricultural Economics at McGill University in Canada.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Muhammed_88140.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Muhammed_88140.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Muhammed_88140.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Muhammed_88140.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Muhammed_88140.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":50764,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/uct-council-to-consider-options-amid-unstable-start-to-year-20230221\/","url_meta":{"origin":43698,"position":4},"title":"UCT council to consider options amid &#8216;unstable&#8217; start to year","author":"People's Post","date":"21 February 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cThere is no such thing as bad publicity\u201d, the well-known phrase goes, but the University of Cape Town (UCT) may well disagree as reports of the \u201cimminent\u201d suspension of their vice-chancellor, Mamokgethi Phakeng, as well as a campus-wide shutdown by","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bdb5e7ac1cbb42f79f565c6c71f6e9aa.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bdb5e7ac1cbb42f79f565c6c71f6e9aa.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bdb5e7ac1cbb42f79f565c6c71f6e9aa.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":304935,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/coronation-ceo-bridges-gap-between-students-and-investment-industry\/","url_meta":{"origin":43698,"position":5},"title":"Coronation CEO bridges gap between students and investment industry","author":"TygerBurger","date":"22 June 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Coronation CEO Anton Pillay hosted students from UCT, UWC and Stellenbosch University for a Youth Month discussion on AI and future careers.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Coronation CEO Anton Pillay engaged with learners during a Youth Month discussion on preparing young people for the future of work at Claremont High School.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_0158_27325.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_0158_27325.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_0158_27325.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_0158_27325.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_0158_27325.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"People&#039;s Post","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43698","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43698"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43698\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43698"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43698"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43698"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=43698"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=43698"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}