The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), located in Johannesburg, on Tuesday highlighted the measures it is taking to assist its students. Funding for their studies is a pressing concern for students all across the country. “We remain committed to working with the SRC [Student Representative Council] to raise as much funds as we can for academically talented students who meet the various criteria,” stated the University.

Working with the SRC, Wits has successfully registered 95% of its student body for the 2025 academic year. In numbers, this came to 37 295 students registered, divided into 25 200 undergraduates and 12 098 postgraduates. (Postgraduate registrations, however, takes place throughout the year, so this number could rise.) The university has a maximum student capacity of about 38 000.

Last year, Wits administered some R1.8-billion in different categories of student funding. Most of the money was in the form of National Student Financial Aid Scheme funding, but some R180-million was from the University Council’s student scholarship funds, and around R28-million was from the hardship fund for registration and emergency accommodation. This funding allowed 26 099 students to access tertiary education last year.

So far this year, through partnering with donors, Wits has been able to clear historic debts totalling R63-million, accrued by 796 students. And the Wits Hardship Fund has allocated some R28-million to help students with registration fees and emergency accommodation. Each student who qualified could receive a maximum of R50 000.

Further, this week a donor has granted R8-million, specifically for postgraduate students with an average of more than 75%, and who needed financial assistance. Many of these have been defunded by the National Research Foundation.

The University also highlighted that the Wits SRC itself has raised R2.5-million to help struggling students this year. The University has matched this amount, doubling the figure to R5-million.

“Wits is doing everything possible within its means to support students,” stressed the University. “However, the university cannot erase all historic student debt or fund every student’s education without risking bankruptcy or insolvency. The issue of free education and student debt clearance requires a national-level solution, involving government, the public sector, and private donors. Student funding is an ongoing national challenge and requires broader national discussions and solutions.”