By OBAKENG MAJE
17 March 2025- The students at North West University (Mafikeng campus), said they will intensify their protest, until the management heeds their call. On Monday, the students blocked the entrance during a protest as they demanded food and 50% book allowance amongst others.
According to the Chairperson of Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) at the NWU, Lesego Sekgabetlele, the remaining food and book allowance was supposed to be disbursed on 28 February 2025, but nothing happened. Sekgabetlele said the day came and passed by without any communication from the management.
“So, we realised that they did not take us seriously hence we went to the streets in demonstration. The strike will continue until what is due to us is paid in full. It is difficult without that 50% book allowance because it is for necessities needed during teaching and learning processes.
“We are requested to buy laptops and some books for other modules. However, if you do not have that money as a student, then you are going to suffer. We do have students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and they are heavily reliant on these funds,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NWU’s Communication Manager (Mafikeng campus), Oscar Mosiane said: “As the university, we had a consultative engagement with various stakeholders, including Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Student Command and South African Students Congress (SASCO), to map way forward regarding the challenges raised by students. However, the issue is about non-payment of food and 50% book allowance amongst others by NSFAS.
“So, we have also engaged NSFAS and they promised to make some payments for the first batch starting from 1pm today until Friday. We have 394 students that still need to receive the money. However, we have an initiative as the university to give meals to those who are in need until this matter is resolved.”
The Guardian 