With the academic year already underway, the University of the Free State (UFS) has placed a clear emphasis on being ready where it matters most – for students arriving on campus, settling into residences, accessing funding, and starting the academic programme with stability and support.

This focus formed the backdrop for a visit by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, to the UFS Bloemfontein Campus on Tuesday, as part of the department’s state-of-readiness engagements for the 2026 academic year. The visit followed shortly after Minister Buti Manamela’s assessment of readiness on the Qwaqwa Campus the previous week.

Engaging with the university’s executive leadership, the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC), and sector stakeholders – including the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) – the Deputy Minister received an overview of the UFS’ preparations for the start of the year, as well as the challenges that continue to shape the higher education landscape.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal (VCP), Prof Hester C. Klopper, said planning for 2026 was informed by lessons from the previous year, particularly in relation to student support, funding, and accommodation.

“At the core of the university is student support and well-being,” Prof Klopper said. “Given the challenges we experienced last year, we have strengthened our financial support and well-being structures to better support students as they enter the academic year.”

She emphasised that readiness extends beyond academic systems to include access to accommodation, funding, and clear support pathways when students encounter difficulty. In this context, she welcomed improved engagement with NSFAS in the lead-up to the academic year.

The Deputy Minister echoed the importance of open engagement during what she described as a demanding period for institutions. “This time of the year is not always smooth – that’s why we are here,” Dr Gondwe said, reaffirming the department’s commitment to working in partnership with universities. She highlighted the establishment of a ministerial ‘war room’ to track sector-wide challenges and coordinate responses involving key stakeholders such as NSFAS and the sector education and training authorities (SETAs).

Prof Klopper reinforced that readiness at the UFS is understood as a continuing responsibility rather than a once-off milestone. “Readiness is not a single moment; it is a continuous process of learning, adjusting, and responding,” she said. “As the UFS, we remain committed to transparency, collaboration, and to doing the work required to ensure a stable and supportive academic year for all our students.”

The student voice featured prominently in the engagement. ISRC President Esona Radebe welcomed the Deputy Minister’s visit and encouraged more frequent engagement with students on campus. She called for a more coordinated and dignified approach to student support, referencing initiatives such as No Student Hungry and advocating for systems that reduce what she described as ‘performative poverty’, where students are required to repeatedly justify their need for assistance.

Radebe also highlighted the Imbewu Fund, a joint initiative between the Vice-Chancellor and the ISRC, as a practical intervention aimed at ensuring that no student is left behind due to short-term financial distress.

Regarding student debt, she described the situation as having reached ‘a point of crisis’, noting that NSFAS processes and external bursaries are key contributors. She appealed to the Department of Higher Education and Training to assist in addressing student debt, particularly where it threatens students’ ability to continue their studies.

The readiness presentation reflected an institution that has prioritised early action. Registration for 2026 took place online, orientation programmes commenced on schedule across all campuses, and the academic year officially began on 9 February. Residence renovations were completed on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses, with contingency accommodation arranged for students required to return early.

Student funding remained a central focus of the engagement. NSFAS-funded student lists were released early in January, enabling funding allocations during registration, while the university has committed significant institutional resources to bursary support in 2026, prioritising postgraduate students, final-year students, and undergraduates facing financial hardship. While challenges remain, including outstanding NSFAS appeals and historic student debt in certain disciplines, the Deputy Minister indicated that these issues are receiving attention at national level.

Beyond funding and accommodation, the visit also reflected the UFS’ broader readiness for the year. Academic venues and support facilities are operational, safety and security measures are in place across campuses, and postgraduate support has been strengthened through increased supervision capacity and targeted bursary funding.