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12 February 2025 | Story Lacea Loader
University of the Free State Logo
On 12 February 2025, disruption of academic activities occurred on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS); this followed the disruptions that occurred on 11 February 2025. On the Qwaqwa Campus, attempts to disrupt academic activities also occurred on 12 February 2024.

A memorandum of demands from the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) was handed over to the university management on 11 February 2025, to which management responded; these demands are related to registration and funding. 

Financial concessions have been granted to students on two occasions so far this year to enable them to register. On 10 February 2025, the university granted follow-up concessions.

Furthermore, the institution’s Financial Working Group (FWG) – which includes representatives from the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) – met regularly to determine how it could best assist students to register, taking into consideration the financial constraints of the university.

On the Bloemfontein Campus, 15 students were arrested on 12 February 2025 for transgression of the interdict; internal disciplinary processes are being instituted.

The university’s Protection Services has activated its protest management security escalation plan in accordance with the UFS Protest Management Policy; the situation on the campuses is being closely monitored.

All classes are continuing as normal, and no classes have been suspended. 

It is important to note the NSFAS-related progress made up until now: 

  • NSFAS funding has been confirmed and allocated to 25 551 students.
  • 22 246 of these students have already been successfully registered for the academic year.
  • NSFAS allowances were paid to 14 303 registered students on 3 February 2025.
  • On 17 February 2025, interim allowances will be paid to 7 943 students who were not registered at the time of the first round of payments.
Financial concessions have been granted to students during two occasions so far this year. On 10 February 2025, the university granted the following follow-up concessions: 

1. NSFAS-funded students

Criteria:

  • NSFAS funding for 2025 must be confirmed and reflected on the acknowledgement of debt (AOD) or registration verification document.
  • Historic debt may not exceed R35 000.

Concessions:

  • No payment is required.
  • Students will be eligible for full registration.

Criteria: 

  • NSFAS funding for 2025 must be confirmed and reflected on the acknowledgement of debt (AOD) or registration verification document.
  • Historic debt exceeding R35 000 but not exceeding R50 000.
      Concessions:
  • No payment is required.
  • Students will be eligible for provisional registration. Provisional registration applications must be submitted, and all other terms and conditions will apply.
2. Returning self-paying South African students:

Criteria:
  • Historic debt must not exceed R35 000.
  • Must sign an acknowledgment of debt (AOD).
Concessions:
  • No payment is required.
  • Students will be eligible for provisional registration. Provisional registration applications must be submitted, and all other terms and conditions will apply.
3. Final-year students:
  • Students with an average mark of above 60% were assisted with Monitoring bursaries.
  • 2025 final-year students with an average mark of between 50% and 60% will be assisted with the following concessions.  
Criteria:
  • Final-year students with a pass rate of between 50 and 60% and with outstanding fees up to a maximum of R60 000 to register provisionally.
Concessions:
  • No payment is required.
  • Students must complete a provisional registration application and attach an AOD, covering historic debt plus the first payment required for 2025 registration. 
4. Postgraduate students 
  • The Department of Finance is in contact with the Centre for Postgraduate Support to fast-track funding confirmations.
  • Postgraduate students who have studied at other institutions and wish to register at the UFS must contact Student Finance for possible assistance with registration.

News Archive

Top achievers arrive at UFS
2017-01-26

Description: Tshepo Thajane Tags: Tshepo Thajane

Tshepo Thajane, winner of the Kovsies
Star of Stars competition.
Photo: Eugene Seegers

Although first-year registration officially started on 23 January 2017 at the University of the Free State (UFS), the Marketing department invited some of the top-achieving matrics in the country to an event on Friday 20 January to assist them with early registration. These high-flying pupils have AP scores of 40 and above, and worked hard to get to where they are today, with driving ambition for their future.

The #StarOfStars
Tshepo ”Doctor” Thajane is the winner of the newly-established Kovsies Star of Stars competition, and as such received a full bursary from the UFS, among other sponsorships. He has enrolled in Actuarial Sciences and will be housed at the Karee residence. When asked what drew him to our university, he responds: “I just loved the university before I entered it, and I chose the UFS because of the respect I was shown.”

Friendly reception
Lendl Ontong will be pursuing his LLB in the Faculty of Law, and has obtained a place in the brotherhood of the Karee residence. The Ontong family hails from Worcester in the Western Cape. Lendl’s father, Mr Lionel Ontong, had this to say of his experience: “The staff at the UFS, especially at the admissions office, is the friendliest group of people I’ve ever come across, and helpful as well. My wife was sceptical when I told her about the friendly treatment I experienced when I phoned the university, but when she witnessed it today, she could see it first-hand. The friendliness is contagious, and even though I’m tired after the long journey, their attitude has rubbed off on me. And my wife now has the assurance that her child is going to be happy here. The atmosphere is one of homeliness. It’s fantastic! Even the netball coach introduced herself to my son and invited him to pop in for a cup of tea, and she won’t even be involved with his university journey. It meant a lot to us as parents.”

Description: Jani Gerber Tags: Jani Gerber

Jani Gerber and her dad Jaco Gerber.
Photo: Eugene Seegers

Runs in the family

Jani Gerber is a second-generation Kovsie who hails from Port Elizabeth. She won the cultural division in the Matriculant of the Year competition in 2016 and was invited to join the UFS. According to her, she “didn’t even consider another university”.

Her dad, Mr Jaco Gerber, says: “The whole process of application and registration was very efficient and professional. Jani’s older sister, Anri, completed her MBChB at UFS last year and is currently working at the Pelonomi Regional Hospital. Jani has already been adopted by new friends in her residence. She says, “Some charming students welcomed us at the residence, and even helped out when we were unpacking.” Jani has aspirations to sing in the annual Stagedoor and Serenade Singoff competitions.

We welcome all our first-years and look forward to supporting them throughout their university journey!

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