Picture: North West University in Mafikeng campus
By OBAKENG MAJE
23 January 2026 – The Gatvol Lobby Group leader, Mpho Sefularo calls for the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi’ intervention regarding the admissions and students accommodation at the North West University (NWU). According To Sefularo who wrote a letter on his Facebook page account, dedicated to Mokgosi, alleges that there is a growing perception among communities that local students are being unfairly excluded due to business interests linked to accommodation and recruitment processes.
He further said this situation is creating deep frustration among parents and residents. Sefularo added that, if left unattended, it carries a real risk of community unrest, as people feel their children’s right to education is being deliberately undermined.
“We must also be clear that students from outside the province—many of whom are poor and vulnerable—are not the problem and must be protected. They are innocent beneficiaries of a system whose fairness is now being questioned.
“Premier, your urgent intervention is necessary to restore confidence, prevent social conflict and ensure that access to education is governed by fairness, transparency, and merit. Failure to act may result in avoidable tensions that could later be mischaracterized as ethnic or tribal in nature,” he said.
Sefularo said they respectfully request decisive leadership on this matter in the interest of social stability and the future of their children in the province. He said they request Mokgosi to monitor or do an investigation.
“Really, we cannot be in a situation where people from other provinces are taking our economy, jobs, houses, women, side-kicks and now they are taking what is very key to us, education. We are saying no to this one, UNIBO must stand on its own from 2027.
“White men in Potchefstroom must be stopped with their agenda of degrading the capital city and killing the Batswana tribe. North West province is not for sale anymore,” said Sefularo.
Meanwhile, the North West University (NWU) said its policies and rules are governed in accordance with the supreme law of the country – the South African Constitution and has the responsibility and accountability to ensure access and success of students. The university said as a public institution, it recruits and admits qualifying students, regardless of their origin (village/township/town/region), race, religion, or gender.
The NWU Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka said applications for admission at the NWU are free of charge for all prospective students. Tyobeka said the above principles apply to staff recruitment and employment.
“Since the release of the Grade 12 results, we have experienced an unprecedented volume of enquiries and requests regarding late applications for the 2026 academic year. Many of these enquiries originate from the Mahikeng and surrounding communities.
“We acknowledge the hope, anticipation and anxiety that accompany this important milestone in the lives of prospective students and their families. Access to higher education represents opportunity, aspiration, and a better future, and we recognise the deep emotional investment attached to these applications,” he said.
Tyobeka further said, however, it is important to reiterate the realities governing admissions at all South African public universities. He added that there are limited spaces available for universities including the NWU to admit all students.
“As communicated previously we received more than 420 000 applications for the 2026 academic year, while there are only 11 800 spaces available for first-year students across our campuses. As a result, late applications cannot be accommodated under any circumstances. To this end, we will not allow any walk-in enquiries for applications.
“The number of first-year students who can be accepted is guided by enrolment targets approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), as well as programme-specific capacity limits and subject requirements,” said Tyobeka.
He said consequently, some applicants whose results may satisfy the requirements of their preferred degrees/programmes may be unsuccessful in securing admission spaces and applicable criteria. Tyobeka said they are diligently finalising admission decisions in strict accordance with its admission policies, as approved by the NWU Council.
“This process is conducted with integrity, fairness and transparency, and is beyond reproach. We have noted allegations circulating among some interest groups/structures suggesting that preference is being given to applicants from outside the North West. These allegations are categorically false, mischievous and divisive.
“The North West constitutes the second-largest source of students across the NWU’s three campuses, and on the Mahikeng Campus in particular, students from the North West remain in the majority. As a public institution, we carry a constitutional and legal obligation to operate as a national university, serving all South Africans equally,” said Tyobeka.
He said while they appreciate the disappointment and uncertainty of unsuccessful prospective students and their parents, they must emphasise that capacity constraints are not unique to the NWU, but are a national reality across all 26 public universities. Tyobeka said in this context, the NWU has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to the harassment, intimidation or threatening of staff members, who are executing their duties with professionalism, commitment and integrity.
“Members of the public are urged to refrain from accessing offices and making demands or confronting staff about the applications. Such actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“We respectfully appeal to all stakeholders – students, parents, community leaders, and staff – to exercise patience and understanding while we execute the admission and registration processes,” he said.
Tyobeka said the majority of final offers have already been issued. He said applicants who remain uncertain about their admission status are strongly encouraged to verify their application status online by logging into their profile dashboard at:
“Applicants who have received provisional acceptance may also contact the NWU through the following official channels: Email: studies@nwu.ac.za
WhatsApp: +27 (0)60 070 2606
SMS line: 31750
NWU Call Centre: 0860 169 698
“Information regarding the 2027 application period will be communicated in due course. Prospective students are urged to apply within the published application window to avoid a recurrence of the current situation.
“The university remains committed to academic excellence, fairness and the responsible stewardship of opportunity, while continuing to serve students, staff, and communities with dignity and respect,” said Tyobeka.
The Guardian 