Students at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) are calling for urgent access to on-campus accommodation as the academic year gets underway, with long queues forming outside the institution as many scramble to secure housing and complete registration.
On Monday, scores of students some accompanied by their parents all lined up at the campus, hoping to confirm their placement in residences. Several said they had been placed on waiting lists, while others who had already been accepted and registered reported they were still without accommodation.
The growing demand has left many uncertain about where they will stay, raising concerns about their ability to begin classes on time.
The situation mirrors challenges at other institutions. At the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), some students were forced to sleep outside the campus for days last week due to a shortage of available housing.
Frustrated students have blamed poor planning and leadership for the recurring crisis, saying accommodation shortages continue to disrupt the start of each academic year.
Meanwhile, the Department of Higher Education has been monitoring readiness at universities and TVET colleges nationwide for the 2026 academic intake. Deputy Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube said the rollout is proceeding as planned, with systems in place to support students.
However, for those still carrying suitcases and paperwork rather than residence keys, the academic year has begun more like a waiting game than a welcome back.