GRAHAMSTOWN, Eastern Cape – 29 September 2026 – Students at Rhodes University are protesting against new fees rules for 2027.
The protest has disrupted academic work at the university.
Students say the new rules will put more money pressure on them.
They are also unhappy with the way the university plans to collect money owed by students.
Students Reject New Rules
Rhodes University has set new rules for students who want to register in 2027.
Students must pay their tuition and residence fees before they can register.
They must also pay money they still owe from past years.
Undergraduate students who owe money must pay 50% of their debt.
They can also make a payment plan. The plan must be at least R3,000 a month.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) says the rules do not take students’ financial problems into account.
SRC Secretary-General Keketso Dibakwane said students had rejected the new rules.
“The fees protocol doesn’t take into account the student demographic of Rhodes University students. It blatantly ignores the socio-economic backgrounds we come from and therefore we reject the document on this basis,” said Dibakwane.
SRC Sends List of Demands
Dibakwane said the SRC had sent a list of demands to university management.
He said the SRC was not happy with the response from the university.
Students say the new rules could make it hard for some of them to register.
They want the university to consider the money problems faced by students.
University Defends New Rules
Rhodes University says the new rules are needed because student debt is growing.
The university says it also needs to protect its long-term finances.
University spokesperson Olwethu Gwanya said the university council approved the 2027 fees protocol.
“The 2027 Student Fees Protocol was approved by Council as part of measures to address the growing levels of outstanding student debt and protect the university’s long-term financial sustainability,” said Gwanya.
Gwanya said the amount of money owed by students had grown.
He also said many students had not kept to their payment plans.
“Student debt has reached unsustainable levels, with payment arrangements entered into by students not being honoured in many instances,” Gwanya said.
The university said it had informed students about the new process.
It also said it had spoken to the SRC.
The university said it understood the concerns raised by students.
It said it would keep talking to the SRC and students.
Student Debt Remains a Problem
The protest comes as universities across South Africa deal with unpaid student fees.
Universities need to collect money owed by students.
At the same time, some students struggle to pay their fees.
At Rhodes University, students and management have different views on the new rules.
Students want the university to take their financial problems into account.
The university says the new rules will help deal with unpaid fees.
It also says the rules will help protect the university’s finances.
