Students have nowhere to stay

DURBAN University of Technology students are still without accommodation in the third week of the academic year.

Khulekani Ngcobo, 24, a third year taxation student, said he had National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding but had nowhere to live.

“Last year, I had accommodation and duly applied for residence for this year. I now find myself without a place to stay because there are no more residences available,” said Ngcobo, who hails from Inchanga.

The student said that when he went to the institution’s housing department he was told they were still working on the problem.

“What is troubling me is why did they stop using Seaboard (a residential building in Durban) when they had no alternative,” he said.

Thamsanqa Linda, from Ixopo and who studies marketing, said he had trouble with the system when trying to apply.

“I approached the student housing department to enquire why the system did not allow me to apply. I was told that I was not the only one. We were told to write down our names.

“When I returned this year, we were told that the list could not be found and therefore we were deemed to have not applied,” Linda said.

Sinikeziwe Hlaki, from Folweni, who is studying office management technology, said she was still without a residence.

“I applied while in first year (in 2016). After not receiving a response I applied again in November. This year I was told my application could not be considered because I do not have the NSFAS coding,” said Hlaki.

The students said that they had resorted to desperate measures.

Some had “squatted” in the residences of students they knew, with others even sleeping in lecture halls. Some were missing both meals and lectures.

The Mercury understands that students have been protesting about the matter. On Thursday a sleep-out was staged outside the vice-chancellor’s office.

The students now say that if DUT fails to find them accommodation, the institution should speak to their funders on their behalf, and convince them to release the funds so they can find accommodation.

In a statement by the DUT deputy vice-chancellor Professor Nomthandazo Gwele, the institution conceded it was faced a housing challenge.

“The university is aware of the gravity of the situation. We are doing everything in our power to provide accommodation for our students.”