By Charmaine Ndlela
Higher education institutions across South Africa have confirmed their readiness for the start of the 2026 academic year.
First-semester classes are expected to commence on Monday.
While registration processes were reported to have run smoothly at several universities, others experienced delays due to financial constraints affecting students and pending NSFAS funding confirmations.
Despite these challenges, institutions told Inside Education that academic activities will proceed as scheduled across all faculties.
The University of Fort Hare (UFH) reported a generally smooth registration process despite some challenges. The 2026 academic programme officially started on 2 February.
“Students are encouraged to complete registration as early as possible to secure their place and ensure timely access to academic and student support services,” said Deputy Registrar for Academic Administration, Zwelidumile Mditshwa.
Registration for undergraduate, honours, postgraduate certificates, diplomas and master’s programmes took place from 6–30 January 2026, with late registration for selected programmes running from 2–20 February.
UFH confirmed that registrations are conducted online on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to space availability.
However, some students in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture reported difficulties related to quota-full notifications and messages indicating that certain qualification combinations particularly codes 70401 and 70402, were no longer available for registration through iEnabler.
Meanwhile, concerns were raised at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) regarding technical issues affecting the admissions system. In a statement, the South African Students Congress (SASCO) alleged that system failures prevented students from accepting or declining admission offers.
SASCO criticised what it described as administrative inefficiencies and called for accountability, claiming centralised decision-making contributed to the problem.
The organisation issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the university to resolve the matter, warning that failure to do so could result in protest action, including disruptions to admissions processes.
It urged management to prioritise restoring system access to ensure qualifying students are not disadvantaged and that institutional intake targets are not affected.
At North-West University (NWU), unregistered first-time entering students have been urged to complete their registration before online registration closed on Sunday, 8 February.
“Please note that failure to register by Friday, 6 February 2026 at 10:00, or to formally indicate your intention to still register, will result in your firm academic admission offer being cancelled,” said NWU Registrar Edgar de Koker.
He further advised students still securing funding to inform the university immediately.
Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Thandi Mgwebi said the institution entered the year on a firm footing following the successful conclusion of registration on 31 January.
Mgwebi confirmed that systems, learning spaces and student support services are fully operational, reflecting months of coordinated planning across faculties, registry services and executive management.
“We have ensured that students are registered, systems are functional and learning as well as living spaces are prepared. WSU is officially ready to commence the academic programme,” she said.
She said that WSU received hundreds of thousands of applications for the 2026 academic cycle but could accommodate only 7,401 first-year students.
“Every student admitted here is not merely enrolled; they are selected. They carry with them the hopes of families, communities and a nation in need of skills, knowledge and leadership,” Mgwebi said.
INSIDE EDUCATION
