The North West University (NWU, Vaal) students were demanding that classes be suspended until their demands that National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) pay for all students impartially, are met.

They said that more than twenty thousand students are frustrated, having been excluded due to their fees not being paid.

The students picketed outside the NWU Vaal gates on Friday and Monday. Siya Hlophe, NWU Vaal SRC Chairperson, said that they have been frustrated by the management of the university which has been delaying registration of twenty thousand students in the different NWU institutions.

Professor Du Plessis addressed the students first before receiving their memorandum of grievances and demands. She said that they have decided to postpone exams and that they do not want students to be negatively affected. She promised to assist students with their registrations. “NWU is trying to communicate with NSFAS to see how best they can assist to sort out this crisis as we don’t want students to drop out.”
The police were present to maintain calm during the protests and in ensuring that all the covid-19 health protocols are adhered to.