Manamela seeking contingency plan to minimise learning disruptions at UFS

Minister of Higher Education Buti Manamela is seeking a contingency plan to minimise learning disruptions at the University of the Free State (UFS).

This comes as students have been protesting for two weeks at the institution.

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On Monday, a building at the university was vandalised and torched.

Demonstrations began shortly after university management announced that in 2026, students with outstanding debt would not be able to register.

The minister has condemned the violence and is engaging management at the institution to find a solution.

The minister’s spokesperson, Matshepo Seedat, said: "The gravity of the situation necessitates that the safety of all students, staff and property is prioritised. Minister remains in direct communication with the vice-chancellor of the University of the Free State. A key focus for the minister is the preservation of the 2025 academic year."