POLOKWANE – Matriculants wanting to further their studies at several tertiary institutions in the city had to go home disappointed this week after being told preference would be given to those who applied on time.
Hundreds of hopefuls queued at Capricorn FET College, Tshwane University of Technology, University of Limpopo (UL) this week, after waited until the eleventh hour to apply.
David Siemola from Moletjie said he passed gr. 12 well and wanted to study public management at TUT but couldn’t. “The reason I didn’t apply on time is that I did not have the funds until my uncle came to my rescue very late. I hope they’d feel pity for me. They said we must come back and try again on Friday,” he said.
Shumani Denga from Vhembe also had not applied on time. He wanted to study a diploma in public relations and business communication, and he would wait until Friday to see if there were any cancellations.
“If I don’t get a chance here, I will just try my luck at the FET colleges,” he said.
TUT spokesperson, Willa de Ruyter said late applicants were given an opportunity to apply on Jan 9 to 12.
She confirmed that thousands of prospective students applied through the university’s dedicated late application enquiry system.
TUT registrar, Prof Steward Mothata said the institution was inundated with late applications.
“By 16:00 on Monday a total of 8 377 enquiries had been received. He said a dedicated team of staff members had been working tirelessly to process these enquiries.
The majority of TUT’s programmes are full for 2014.
“Students can check their status online on TUT’s website. Although the online late application enquiry system closed at 16:00 on Sunday, applications received on the regular online application system will be considered in instances where space is still available.
He urged students accepted for study in 2014 to adhere to the times and venues provided in their acceptance letters to report for registration.
“Entering this new phase of their lives is both exciting and a bit unnerving but I would like to wish all our first years the best of luck for the year. I would also like to remind students that there is a lot of support available at the university to assist them in adapting to higher education and to meet the academic challenges head-on.”
UL spokesperson Kgalema Mohuba said they had received 26 349 applications but could only accommodate 5 200 students.
“We expanded our maths and science laboratories, but our facilities limit a bigger intake,” he said.
• Prospective students can phone the education department’s toll free number to verify other college’s credentials: 0800 265 266.
