As the 2025 academic year begins, students across South Africa are facing a worsening accommodation crisis, with many left stranded due to a shortage of housing and delays in National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding.
At eThekwini TVET College, the situation has been dire, with reports of students being forced to sleep outside after struggling to secure accommodation.
Bantu Faku, a former member of the EFF Student Command (EFFSC), highlighted the extent of the crisis.
“There are many students that have approached me regarding accommodation both in TVET and university institutions. We face a critical challenge, particularly at eThekwini TVET College, Centec Campus, where students were forced to register with the FASSET (Financial and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority) bursary. Bear in mind that most accommodation is for NSFAS-funded students,” said Faku.
Faku said students should not give up hope and encouraged them to seek help from student leaders.
“My message to the students who are still facing the issue of accommodation is that they must not get tired. As long as they are funded by NSFAS, they will get accommodation. They can contact the student command members and SRC to get assistance. There should be no student who sleeps in unsafe conditions.”
In response, eThekwini TVET College principal Nkosinathi Mchunu said the institution has little control over the allocation of student housing, as NSFAS manages the accommodation process directly.
“Students apply directly to NSFAS. NSFAS responds to them, and even (regarding) the onboarding of students into the accommodation, we don’t have control. Instead, students are doing it on their own,” he said.
Mchunu acknowledged the difficulties students face but said some issues stem from private landlords and third-party interests.
“We don’t have accommodation on our campuses. I only have one, which has been assessed by NSFAS and it was said that it’s not in good condition; students are staying in private accommodation,” he added.
According to the NSFAS Student Accommodation Portal, all landlords who provide housing for NSFAS-funded students must register their properties and go through an accreditation process to ensure they meet quality and safety standards.
Only residences that have been accredited are eligible for NSFAS funding, and payments are made directly to the landlords. This means that students who secure housing in unapproved residences will not receive NSFAS funding for rent, leaving them vulnerable to eviction or financial strain.
Mihle Bandezi, a representative of the SA Students Congress (Sasco) at the Durban University of Technology’s Pietermaritzburg campus, said housing issues had already disrupted the academic calendar.
“According to the university calendar, classes were supposed to commence today (Monday), but unfortunately, they did not because of issues with accommodation and registrations,” said Bandezi.
Bandezi also pointed out that residence inspections had been delayed, leading to further frustrations.
Siviyiwe Tyso, a returning student from DUT, said she had not been allocated a residence.
“I’ll be travelling from home in Umzinto to school as I wait to be placed in a residence. All I can do is wait as the email I received from student housing said I should wait for the allocation.”