They are demanding immediate registration for the current academic year. The strike, now in its second day, will continue until the students' demands for registration are met.

The controversy comes amid widespread registration delays at the university, with many students unable to register due to a combination of financial constraints and bureaucratic hurdles. Despite the academic year already being in full swing at SA universities, several returning students have been locked out of the registration process.

Feziwe Ndwayana, a representative for the unregistered students, highlighted the situation, stating: "Returning students are more likely to remain unregistered, and a significant portion of these students are postgraduates. With February registration closing, many are left in limbo."

Financial exclusion remains a key issue, particularly for those who cannot afford tuition fees or do not qualify for scholarships and financial aid. According to Wits Students' Representative Council  President, Nombulelo Chiya, “When you speak about issues of financial exclusion, students who are unable to pay are left stranded. Many are sitting at home because they owe the university and are required to pay a 50% deposit before they can register.”

Earlier this year, Wits University stated that it had cleared the debts of 800 students, amounting to R63 million, but many others are still waiting for resolution. Shirona Patel, a representative from Wits, remarked, “Over the past decade, we’ve made significant progress in securing funding, with over one billion rand raised. However, the backlog persists.”

As the hunger strike continues, there are growing concerns about the health and wellbeing of the students involved. While the university has yet to provide a clear timeline for resolving the situation, it remains unclear when the strike will be called off.

For now, the striking students are surviving on water, resolute in their commitment to remain without food until their demands are met. "We will not stop until we are registered, and our voices are heard," one protester stated, echoing the sentiment of many others involved in the strike.

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--