Systematic inefficiencies, technical challenges, and mismanagement during the registration period for the 2025 academic year have left thousands of students frustrated and uncertain about their academic futures.
The registration period for universities across South Africa is a vital time for prospective and returning students to secure education for the year.
While the issue is widespread across the countries many universities, the challenges at Durban University of Technology (DUT) serve as a stark example of what many institutions around the country are facing.
Recently, IOL's Wendy Dondolo documented how hundreds of students were left stranded at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology when they were denied accomodation last week.
At DUT, the registration process, which was scheduled to commence on January 13, has been marred by persistent system failures such as their registration system failing to register and capture students information onto the universities portal.
The delays have left students queuing for hours at campus gates, unsure if they would receive assistance. Some traveled from distant towns, hoping to register, inquire about their application statuses, or secure a place in their desired programs.
Siphesihle Simamane, a prospective student from Bhamshela, near Ndwedwe, shared his concerns about the registration process at DUT when IOL visited the university last week.
“I applied for Supply Chain Management, but my status now says its 'program full'. I went to ask for a space since I do qualify but they told me I should rather change to Civil Engineering because I also qualify in that course.
"They then told me to wait until 12pm, they will help me. Hopefully I will be assisted," he said.
A week after initially interviewing Simamane at DUT's Steve Biko Campus, Simamane told IOL that he had returned home to Bhamshela, some 90 kilometres and R200 (return) away.
Simamane told IOL he would not give up, because he had good matric results, and he would carry on trying to secure a place to study.
"I heard that some courses are still open at DUT, including Architecture. It's not something I'm interested in, but I might consider it since I don't have many other options. It's tough being at home without studying," he said.
Another student Thobeka Sikhakhane from Hammarsdale expressed her frustration: “I applied for Drama because it’s my dream course. I completed the monologue as required, but my status has been on standby ever since. When I came here, they told me they couldn’t find any record of my application. I don’t know what to do.”
Technical issues at DUT have compounded the frustrations of students and staff.
According to Thabisile Mhlongo, a second-year Operations and Management student and member of the EFF-led SRC, said the registration system has been unreliable from the start.
“The system was supposed to work by January 13, but it was down. On January 20, we were told it would be fixed, but it wasn’t. When it finally came back, it only worked for a few hours before crashing again. Students went home with statuses like ‘waiting for decision’ or ‘standby,’ only for those to change to ‘regret unsuccessful’ later. The system essentially removed them out,” Mhlongo explained.
The inefficiencies have eroded trust in the institutions that students rely on to provide a seamless registration process.
A DUT staff member posted on TikTok that registration is open and advised students to register online if they had accepted their offers. However, he cautioned students against visiting the campus unless they encountered specific online registration issues. He stressed that the institution is not yet accepting walk-ins or applications for available spaces, urging students to monitor their statuses online instead.
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Despite these instructions, many students showed up at the campus gates seeking help.
The DUT SRC has acknowledged the ongoing challenges and reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for students during this difficult time and released a statement on Friday, January 24.
In a statement, the SRC said: “The SRC remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for your interests and addressing any challenges you may encounter during this process. We are fully aware of the frustrations caused by technical glitches and procedural changes, but rest assured that we are working diligently with university management and relevant departments to ensure that these issues are resolved swiftly.
"Our mission is not only to represent your voices but also to empower you with the tools and resources necessary for success. In conclusion, we urge all students both returning and first-year to remain patient and proactive during this registration period. Should you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the SRC through our official communication channels. We are here to serve you with unwavering dedication and revolutionary zeal.”
The DUT released a statement on the issue on January 16 regarding the technical issues they are facing and announced that the registration process that was set to begin on January 13 had been postponed due to technical difficulties.
"We are actively working to resolve these issues as a matter of priority to ensure that the registration process can commence smoothly. At this stage, we are unable to provide a specific date for when registration will begin, but we assure you that every effort is being made to expedite the process," said the DUT statement.
"We understand the importance of this matter and apologise for any inconvenience this delay may cause. We will keep you updated with further information as soon as the system challenges have been resolved and we are ready to begin registration."
DUT spokesperson Alan Khan said the DUT is process of transitioning to a new Student Information System (SIS) to enhance efficiency and improve the student experience.
"In 2024, the migration successfully incorporated the academic structure, online application and admissions into new SIS."
"For the 2025 academic year, online registration and all subsequent university processes including timetabling, examinations, student accounts and graduations, will continue to operate on the current SIS. The full transition to the new system is expected to be completed in January 2026, when these remaining processes will go live on the new platform.
"As with any large-scale system integration, challenges have unfortunately arisen, particularly with data integration between the current and new systems, as well as infrastructure-related issues. Consequently, the registration process began approximately a week later than scheduled. Despite this delay, lectures will commence as planned on Monday, February 10.
"Additionally, DUT’s annual late registration period will run from February 10 to February 21, ensuring that students have sufficient time to finalise their enrolment," elaborated Khan.
The spokesperson for the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Camagwini Mavovana highlighted the proactive steps taken to ensure a smooth process on registration.
"The minister has deployed task teams and established War Rooms to address potential disruptions. These War Rooms, comprising officials from the department, Deputy Minister and NSFAS provide real-time monitoring and interventions where necessary. The Minister receives daily updates o registration-related issues ensuring timely responses and resolutions."
Mavovana also emphasised the Minister's early engagement with stakeholders to assess institutional readiness.
"Before the academic year began, the Minister led stakeholder engagement meetings on January 22-23, to assess institutional readiness and tackle anticipated challenges. These meetings brought together student formations, governance bodies, and representatives from universities, TVET colleges, and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges. Discussions focused on student funding, accommodation challenges, ICT improvements, and infrastructure development to enhance institutional capacity."
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