Mapaballo Borotho
- Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has confirmed that teaching and learning will resume at the University of Fort Hare next week.
- This follows violent protests that left key buildings at the Alice Campus destroyed by fire.
- Manamela condemned the violence, calling it criminal and urging swift measures to restore calm and protect the academic year.
Teaching and learning is set to resume at the damaged University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape next week. This was confirmed by the Minister of Higher Education on Saturday, Buti Manamela.
This follows violent student protests at the university’s Alice Campus, which escalated dramatically on Wednesday, 08 October 2025, after demonstrators set fire to key administrative and staff buildings.
The unrest stems from a series of grievances, including calls for the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation, delays in NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) payments, and demands for immediate student leadership elections.
Briefing the media, Manamela said the burning of learning institutions and the disruption of teaching and learning will never be justifiable.
“What has happened at Fort Hare is not protest; it is criminal. It destroys opportunity, erodes confidence, and undermines the dreams of thousands of young people who look to education as their only chance for a better life.
We are working closely with the South African Police Service, the Eastern Cape government, and the university’s security teams to restore calm and protect students and staff. I commend the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Oscar Mabuyane, and his team for their swift efforts to stabilise the situation,” he said.
The University Council and management have been instructed to put all necessary measures in place to reopen the institution safely and allow teaching and learning to continue, including online modalities where required.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure that the academic programme resumes within the coming week. I had a productive meeting with the University Council yesterday. Students must be able to complete their studies in peace and safety. That is a non-negotiable. The university must ensure that the academic year is not put in jeopardy,” he added.
Manamela has also asked the University Council to reflect on critical issues affecting the institution.
“We must remember that the situation at Fort Hare is not a new matter. Over the past three years, the UFH has been plagued by cycles of violent episodes on campus. Notwithstanding the stakeholder engagements held for some time through the Department, Portfolio Committee and SAPS, violent responses persist. We have to end this.”
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