A housing crisis has hit Cape Peninsula University, leaving 100 students to live in a multipurpose hall due to a shortage of accommodation. This highlights the broader issue of housing affordability and accessibility at universities, where new policies inadvertently create disparity among students. The situation emphasizes the need for enhanced communication and empathy within universities and comprehensive systemic changes to address student housing issues. Students are struggling to cope with unhygienic conditions, and there is a pressing need for proactive steps to address the crisis.
The rise in applications reflects a growing commitment to higher education in the Western Cape region of South Africa, where there are four major universities: the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University, and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. These universities are attracting more applicants each year, with Stellenbosch University receiving a staggering 88,085 applications in 2024 alone. Each university has its own strengths and focuses on providing quality education while prioritizing student welfare.
The University of Fort Hare (UFH) is following a global trend by investing in their sports programs, with a goal to reclaim its position in the South African university football’s premier league by 2025. UFH’s skilled goalkeeper, Nkosiyethu Ngobe, represents the potential for a return to prominence in college football. Cyprus and the European Union also prioritize sports as a means to enhance social integration, education, and development of the youth. UFH’s football aspirations are part of a larger movement where universities prioritize sports as a symbol of athletic prowess and integration of students into diverse cultural and social systems.
In South Africa, genderbased violence and femicide are pervasive issues that continue to plague university campuses across the nation. The brutal murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a young student at the University of Cape Town, serves as a stark reminder of the deeply entrenched issues that need to be addressed urgently.
On June 23rd, Dr. Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, visited the University of Fort Hare in a series of followup engagements with the University Council and various stakeholders. ### A Rich History
Supported Employment Enterprises (SEE) is committed to creating job opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) by developing partnerships with various economic stakeholders to facilitate their transition from education to the labor market. Vocational training is emphasized by SEE to broaden future opportunities for PwDs who are not academically inclined.