Student fees protests spill over to visa worries for foreign applicants

THE CAPE Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is “working around the clock” to relieve an administration backlog that has affected hundreds of international and thousands of local students.

The #FeesMustFall protests rocked South African universities for several months with students calling for free, decolonised education. Exams were disrupted and students demonstrated to force university management and government officials to give in to their demands.

CPUT staff and students had been relocated to the Wingfield Military base as campuses shut down, but moved back to the main campus when tensions eased.

Although the university’s administration building, located at its Bellville Campus, has been open for almost two weeks, an international student said her stay in Cape Town was in limbo because of a lack of response.

Christelle Tabelanwe, 22, from Congo, is a third-year student currently doing her internship at a public relations company, Mango OMC.

She said she applied for her Bachelor’s of Technology Degree in public relations in August but had not received an indication as to whether or not she had been accepted.

She needs a letter from the university to extend her visa, which will expire in a few days’ time. “I applied for a visa for three years of studies, initially, but I need an extension if I am accepted for BTech. I tried to follow up via e-mail, but have not received a response from the international office,” she said.

She said she would be forced to return home in the next four days.

Kerran Lloyde, a senior account manager at Mango OMC, said she would not want Tabelanwe to abandon her studies.

“She is amazing at what she does, she is the top of her class. While at university, she tutored younger students. She is valued at the company and we want to see her progress. She has only four days left before she has to be back in Congo. We do not know what else to do for her.”

CPUT spokeswoman, Lauren Kansley said the processing of applications for all courses was delayed as a result of the #FeesMustFall protests.

“This is the same for local students as well but our admissions staff are working hard to clear the backlog. I suggest the student contact the international office directly for clarity on her particular situation. They are very responsive and keen to assist where possible,” she said.

CPUT management said it was aware of the immigration needs of international applicants.

“We are doing our best to respond to these amid severe operational constraints.”

The statement indicated communication to international students was published on CPUT’s website.