Nelson Mandela University (NMU) suspended all on-campus academic activities on February 12, 2026.
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This decision came after significant disruptions occurred at the North and South campuses in Gqeberha.
Management confirmed that the suspension affects lectures, tutorials, and face-to-face administrative services.
Protesters blocked the main entrances early in the morning, preventing vehicles from entering the university grounds.
Burning tyres and physical barricades were placed at the gates to stop access.
Staff and students were advised to stay away from the affected areas to protect their physical safety.
The university activated its business continuity plan to keep essential services running remotely.
Online registration systems remain fully operational during this physical shutdown.
The academic calendar has faced immediate pressure due to these unplanned closures.
Security personnel are monitoring the entrances to prevent further damage to property.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been deployed to the area to maintain order.
This situation remains fluid, and students must check official channels for daily updates.
Core Reasons Behind the Suspension
The primary trigger for the protest is the ongoing student accommodation crisis.
Many students have not been allocated beds in on-campus residences.
Private off-campus accommodation providers have also faced accreditation delays.
This has left hundreds of students without a secure place to stay while classes begin.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) has demanded immediate solutions for homeless students.
Financial clearance is the second major issue driving the unrest.
Thousands of students are currently blocked from registering due to outstanding debt.
The university requires an initial payment or a strict acknowledgement of debt arrangement.
Students argue that these financial blocks prevent the poor from accessing higher education.
NSFAS funding delays have worsened the situation for returning students.
Many applicants are still waiting for their funding status to change from “pending.”
Without a confirmed funding status, the university cannot clear these students for registration.
The Escalation of Protests
Tensions began rising earlier in the week as the registration deadline approached.
Student leaders called for a mass meeting to address the exclusion of unfunded students.
The situation escalated when management allegedly failed to meet the SRC’s demands in time.
Groups of students mobilized at the transport hubs to disrupt the shuttle services.
This action effectively paralyzed the movement of students between the various campuses.
Reports indicate that rubber bullets were used to disperse crowds at the South Campus entrance.
Several students reported minor injuries during the clashes with private security.
Video footage on social media showed thick smoke rising from the main gates.
The university management condemned the violence and the destruction of property.
However, the student leadership insists that radical action is the only way to be heard.
They have vowed to continue the shutdown until every student is registered and housed.
Registration Deadline Extensions
The university has responded to the pressure by extending the registration period.
The new deadline for general registration is now February 28, 2026.
This extension gives students two extra weeks to sort out their financial and academic issues.
Late registration fees will not be applied during this extended window.
Students are urged to use the online student portal to complete their registration.
Physical registration venues are currently closed due to the safety risks.
Admissions offices are working remotely to process pending applications.
You should upload all outstanding documents via the digital document upload facility.
Do not attempt to visit the admissions office in person until the suspension is lifted.
Check your admission status daily, as the system is updated every 24 hours.
NSFAS and Financial Aid Challenges
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is central to the current conflict.
The 2026 funding guidelines introduced caps on accommodation allowances that fall short of local rental prices.
Students in Gqeberha are struggling to find accredited rooms within the R50,000 annual cap.
Landlords are refusing to sign leases with students who cannot top up the difference.
The “missing middle” students are also protesting for better access to loan funding.
These are students whose household income is too high for a bursary but too low to pay fees.
The university has limited discretionary funds to assist this specific group.
Negotiations are ongoing between the university and NSFAS to expedite payments.
Allowances for books and food have also been delayed for many registered students.
The SRC is demanding that the university provide food parcels to students waiting for allowances.
Management has stated they are looking into emergency relief measures.
Safety Protocols for Students
Your safety is the highest priority during this period of instability.
Avoid the North and South Campus entrances completely until further notice.
Do not engage with protesters or security forces if you are near the perimeter.
Shuttle services have been suspended on specific routes to ensure driver safety.
If you are already in a residence, stay indoors and avoid the protest hotspots.
Keep your student card with you at all times, even if you are off-campus.
Update your contact details on the student portal to receive SMS alerts.
The university sends out emergency notifications via SMS and official email.
Ignore rumors spread on unverified WhatsApp groups or social media accounts.
Only trust information that comes from the official NMU communication platforms.
Report any suspicious activity or threats to the campus protection services immediately.
Impact on the Academic Year
The suspension has raised concerns about the completion of the first-semester curriculum.
Lecturers have been asked to move materials to the Moodle learning management system.
Students should access their module guides and reading lists online.
Assessments scheduled for this week have been postponed indefinitely.
New dates for tests and assignments will be communicated once campuses reopen.
The library services are currently unavailable for physical visits.
You can still access the library’s digital resources and databases from home.
Use this time to read ahead and prepare for your modules independently.
Connect with your classmates via WhatsApp groups to stay motivated and informed.
Do not let this disruption stop you from engaging with your study materials.
This academic suspension is not an isolated event at Nelson Mandela University.
Similar protests have flared up at CPUT and UKZN in the last few days.
A “national shutdown” has been proposed by the South African Union of Students.
Universities across the country are facing the same funding and housing deficits.
The higher education sector is under immense pressure to admit more students than it can fund.
Government subsidies have not kept pace with the rising cost of running universities.
This structural underfunding creates a yearly cycle of protests and shutdowns.
NMU is currently the epicenter of the 2026 protests due to the specific housing shortage in the metro.
The outcome of the negotiations at NMU often sets a precedent for other institutions.
Stakeholders are watching closely to see if management will concede to the demands.
Steps to Take Right Now
Log in to the student portal to check your current registration status.
If you are financially blocked, submit an Acknowledgement of Debt form online.
Contact the financial aid office via email if your NSFAS status is unclear.
Do not wait for the campus to reopen to solve your administrative problems.
Use the online query forms found on the university website.
Keep a record of all your correspondence with the university staff.
Check your email inbox twice a day for official communiqués.
Download the updated academic calendar as soon as it is released.
Look for alternative private accommodation options that fit within the NSFAS cap.
Join the official SRC social media pages for updates on the negotiations.
Stay safe, stay connected, and focus on your academic goals despite the challenges.
The university remains committed to completing the academic year successfully.
Negotiations are happening around the clock to resolve the impasse.
Updates will follow as soon as a resolution is reached.