About 600 000 students can't receive their graduation certificates after completing their studies because they owe more than R5,8 billion in fees to the country’s universities.

This was revealed by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande when asked for a breakdown of the number of students who owed universities and could not graduate or receive the certificates.

IOL reports North West University does not state the amount of money owed to them by 56 627 students. “For the 2024 academic year just over 50 000 students of the university owe the university an amount of just more than R3 billion,” said North West media spokesperson, Louis Jacobs.

The university is owed just over R3 billion. Picture: services.nwu.ac.za

“Of this number, however, close to 29 000 students are NSFAS students, and that outstanding debt amounts close to R2,4 billion.”

“Only students with outstanding debt who are NSFAS students are allowed to participate in the graduation ceremonies but their certificates are withheld. Other students with outstanding debt themselves are not allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies and their certificates are also withheld.”

IOL reports the University of the Free State is owed just over R850 million by 39 974 students as of April. This includes tuition and other fees payable relating to prior years. An inquiry was sent to the institution and no response was received.

The UFS is owed just over R850 million. Picture: ufs.ac.za

The Central University of Technology was also sent an inquiry but no response was received.

The Sol Plaatje University confirmed the numbers and amounts from the report as correct. “The university does not withhold qualifications or graduation certificates when graduates have outstanding fees,” said the acting director of institutional advancement at SPU Kashini Maistry.

“To date, we have 5 213 students who owe the university a total of just over R151 million.

The university has 5,213 students who owe the university a total of just over R151 million. Picture: SPU 

DFA reports the academic programmes at SPU were moved online until further notice after students staged a protest on Monday (6/5) due to unhappiness over the changes that were made to the catering model which came into effect on Monday, 15 April.

“The catering model entailed converting the university’s dining halls into retail outlets that were operated by outsourced service providers so that students had access to a greater variety of catering options,” said Maistry.

“The protest, which began peacefully, became violent and the police had to intervene. Support staff who can work from home, in consultation with their line manager, should do so.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh