The 2025 academic year kicked off this week in many institutions of higher learning across the country. The student funding crisis is yet again making headlines. Wits University is at the forefront of this crisis.

Speaking to Pabi Moloi on Power98.7 Wits Spokesperson Shirona Patel says, ‘’we have raised R9 million rands now to help students to register and to find emergency accommodation,’’ this was raised through the SRC fund.

The university said that only 5% of students who qualified to study were unregistered.

Patel pointed out that not every student who wants funding will qualify as some of them have been working professionally for 10 years, and are pursuing post graduate qualifications, while others have two qualifications and want to pursue a new one.

Historic debt is unfortunately an issue that some students are still facing, however students who owe R10 000 or more are required to pay 50% and the rest will be settled.

‘’We can’t clear historic debt, [in free education] we’d love it, it is a great ideal, but as universities, if we had to go that route, we would become unsustainable in a year or two, our debt stands at R500 million and if we were to clear it, we would have to shut down,’’ said Patel.  

The university is calling on students requiring funding to come forward and they will be matched with a donor. They further explained that they have assisted students in the following ways;

1.⁠ ⁠95% of Students Are Registered

Wits University is collaborating with student leaders to maximise 2025 academic year registrations. Wits has successfully registered 95% of its student body for the academic year. 

This includes about:

• 25,200 undergraduates, 
• 12,098 postgraduate students. *Postgraduate intakes continue throughout the year.
• Bringing the total number of registered students to 37,295. 

The university’s full capacity is approximately 38,000 students.  

2.⁠ ⁠R1.8 billion in Financial Aid

Funding remains a challenge, but significant progress has been made. In 2024, Wits administered approximately R1.8 billion in financial aid, bursaries, and scholarships. 

• Breakdown of R1.8 billion funding includes:

• NSFAS funding,
  • About R180 million from the University Council’s Funds for student scholarships,
  • About R28 million hardship fund for registration and emergency accommodation.

In 2024 alone, this funding helped 26,099 students to access higher education.

Students can upload their details to the Discretionary Funding Portal, which matches students (especially the “missing middle”) with donors.

3.⁠ ⁠R63 million in Debt Relief for 796 Students

Through partnerships with donors, Wits managed to clear the historic debt of 796 students this year, amounting to a total of R63 million.

4.⁠ ⁠R28 million for the Wits Hardship Fund

The Wits Hardship Fund has allocated around R28 million to assist students with registration fees and emergency accommodation, ensuring that financial difficulties do not prevent students from continuing their studies. Each qualifying student can receive up to R50 000. 

5.⁠ ⁠R8 million Donation for Postgraduates

This week, a donor contributed R8 million, specifically allocated to assist postgraduate students with a 75%+ average, many of whom were defunded by the NRF. 

6.⁠ ⁠Wits Matched SRC’s R2.5 million Fundraising Efforts

In the past week, the Wits SRC raised R2.5 million to support struggling students. Wits matched this amount, effectively doubling the funds available to assist those in need.

Wits is doing everything possible within its means to support students. However, the university cannot erase all historic student debt or fund every student’s education without risking bankruptcy or insolvency. 

The issue of free education and student debt clearance requires a national-level solution, involving government, the public sector, and private donors. 

Student funding is an ongoing national challenge and requires broader national discussions and solutions.