06 February 2026
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Story Precious Shamase
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Photo Blackhood
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, visited the University of the Free State to assess our readiness for the 2026 academic year. Following the discussions, the minister conducted an on-site inspection of key campus facilities, including the Kutlwano student residence.
As universities across the country prepare for the pressures of a new academic year, readiness is no longer measured only by plans on paper, but by the lived reality students encounter on campus. Against this backdrop, the University of the Free State (UFS) hosted the Minister of Higher Education and Training,
Buti Manamela, for a high-level oversight visit focused on assessing the institution’s preparedness for the 2026 academic year.
The visit formed part of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s ongoing engagement with public universities to ensure that infrastructure, student accommodation, and administrative systems are in place to support student success from the first day of the academic cycle. Representatives from senior management, governance structures, the National Student Aid Financial Scheme (NSFAS), and the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) participated in the engagements, reflecting a shared responsibility for institutional readiness.
A collaborative welcome
Minister Manamela was officially welcomed by
Dr Molapo Qhobela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategic Initiatives, International and Institutional Affairs. The visit focused on the importance of alignment between national departmental goals and institutional execution. In his welcome address, Dr Qhobela said, “The actual readiness is about the readiness to deliver on the expectations.”
Council member, Mandla Ndlangamandla, said in his opening remarks: “We feel honoured and privileged to have you at our institution. We appreciate your visit to this campus and the fact that you have taken time from your busy schedule to have this direct interface with us.”
Ndlangamandla also assured the minister that the University of the Free State is up and running.
The programme began with a series of comprehensive presentations from a broad spectrum of university stakeholders. These sessions included insights from the
- Institutional Forum on transformation and campus climate; and
- Student Representative Council (SRC), highlighting the student body’s expectations and concerns for the coming year.
Infrastructure and site inspections
Following the discussions, the minister conducted an on-site inspection of key campus facilities. A significant portion of the tour focused on student living conditions and academic spaces.
The minister visited the Kutlwano student residence, where he engaged with the reality of student housing capacity and maintenance standards. This was followed by a tour of NS117, a critical venue for academic delivery. These inspections are vital for identifying potential bottlenecks in the student experience before the 2026 academic cycle begins.
Ensuring academic success
The oversight visit underscored the importance of shared accountability between government, institutional leadership, and student representatives in creating an environment conducive to learning and success. By engaging directly with campus realities and student concerns, the ministry’s assessment provided an opportunity to identify areas requiring focused attention ahead of the 2026 academic year.
For the UFS, the visit reinforced the need to translate planning into practice, ensuring that systems, spaces, and support structures function effectively when students arrive on campus. As preparations continue, the focus remains on delivering a stable and supportive start to the academic year for all students.