Student says his mom sold her car to pay for fees at now-deregistered Damelin

JOHANNESBURG - A disheartened third-year IT student from the newly-deregistered private college, Damelin, has recounted how his mother sold her vehicle to pay for his tuition.

The student, who asked to remain anonymous, is among thousands of undergraduates at the college who are anxious about their academic futures.

Damelin is one of four private institutions that have been deregistered by the Higher Education Department after failing to disclose their audited financial documents.

With the academic future of Damelin students now uncertain, some are reflecting on the sacrifices their parents have made to put them in school.

The third-year student, who relocated from KwaZulu-Natal to pursue his studies, was visibly in pain when he described how he felt about the institution getting deregistered.

"I feel sad because I know about my family situation and I know what my parents went through to pay all this money. For example, this year, my mother was able to pay for the full year, just so I can tell you, she had to sell a car."

He describes the pain of not knowing whether he’d get his qualification on time.

"We trusted on Damelin but it seems like they actually disappointed us. I actually don’t know how I feel, no lie. I’m stressed, I’m confused."

Many students have since flocked to the Braamfontein campus to seek answers.