Students affiliated with the EFF protested outside the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in Auckland Park today, opposing what they described as a possible registration fee increase that could make higher education less accessible to financially disadvantaged students.

Speaking during the demonstration, EFF member Sphiwe Phiri said the reported increase would place an additional financial burden on students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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“As the EFF, we are here to tell you that we reject the fee increment, meaning they are marginalising us as poor students,” Phiri said.

Phiri said some students came from struggling households, while others were orphans facing financial challenges in pursuing their education.

He questioned how financially disadvantaged students would afford higher registration fees, arguing that the increase could make access to higher education more difficult for those who could not afford it.

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The protesters called for the reported fee increase to be rejected, saying financial barriers should not prevent students from accessing education.

The publication contacted UJ’s communications department for comment on the reported registration fee increase. A response had not been received at the time of publication.

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