Breakthrough in provisional registration dispute at UFS

The University of the Free State and the student leadership have reached an agreement on the contentious issue of provisional registration.

Both parties have agreed that provisional registration will be phased out over the next two years, rather than being abruptly discontinued.

The university says the phased approach will allow it time to assess the risks students face and provide the necessary support.

The institution was plunged into chaos last week after announcing that provisional registration would end in January next year.

Students opposed the decision, arguing it would exclude black and financially disadvantaged students from accessing higher education.

Under the new agreement, all students will be fully registered from January.

The university has reiterated its commitment to ongoing engagement with student leadership through open dialogue.

𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘆𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. Read here: https://t.co/sFXBnCWkSv#UFSFinancialSupport pic.twitter.com/vcVrdGtkov

— UFS (@UFSweb) October 15, 2025

Similar scenes played out at the University of Fort Hare last week, where seven buildings were torched during student protests.

The aggrieved students re-called for the immediate removal of Vice Chancellor Professor, Sakhela Buhlungu.

Academic activity remains suspended at the institution.

The University of Fort Hare estimates the cost of infrastructure damage at between R250 million and R500 million, with restoration expected to take up to two years.

Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, says he hopes classes will resume soon.

He also condemned the criminal elements involved in the student protests, where property was damaged.

The minister further called on all student leaders and members of the university community to choose the path of constructive engagement over destruction.