On the first day of the 2026 academic year, students at the University of Cape Town disrupted registration by blocking campus entrances, demanding an end to fee blocks and better accommodation. The protests highlight ongoing issues of financial exclusion affecting eligible students. University leaders received a memorandum and pledged to respond while maintaining academic operations.
The University of Cape Town experienced significant disruption on 16 February 2026, as students protested against financial barriers and housing shortages on the opening day of the academic year. Protesters blocked key entry points, including the M3 access in Rondebosch, to draw attention to fee blocks that prevent academically eligible students from registering due to outstanding debts.
Student Representative Council president Kitso Mojapelo explained the motivations behind the action. "There are fee blocks that have been occurring, and the SRC has been negotiating with university management. A lot of students are impacted by financial aid issues, but the main issue is that self-funded students do not benefit from any relief measures, and this matter is a systemic issue we’re calling on the institution to effectively address," Mojapelo stated.
EFF Student Command chairperson at UCT, Mahlatse Dlamini, emphasized the need for immediate reforms. "Academically eligible students must register; that’s a principle we must agree on. Secondly, all academic proceedings must be closed until students have registered. There must be a review of the financial situation of the residence cap, which leads people to have a financial block, and we want more bed spaces," Dlamini said.
The students assembled outside the Bremner Building to present a memorandum of demands to Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela. He confirmed receipt and outlined next steps: "From here on, the process is that we will review those demands and meet with the SRC to provide our response, and we will respond in writing. We are meeting today."
The university's statement noted that Campus Protection Services cleared the blocked entrances, stabilizing the situation. "At this stage, academic activities and university operations are proceeding as planned," it added, with monitoring ongoing.
The demands include suspending classes until all eligible students register, expanding on-campus housing, lifting fee blocks for those in good academic standing, implementing a policy against financial exclusion as per the IRTC report, convening a special council meeting, and providing transit accommodation for students with debts.
This event recalls similar protests at UCT in the previous year, where students sought interventions like class suspensions and housing expansions. It also follows recent unrest at Nelson Mandela University over comparable issues.
