An overview of UJ's student challenges: suicide, mental health, finances and safety issues at a glance

Suicide, kidnapping and theft are some of the problems faced by UJ students.

Students at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) are grappling with serious challenges, including suicide, kidnapping and theft.

The institution recently announced this during its presentation to the Higher Education Portfolio Committee in parliament.

“Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, are on the rise at our facility. These are exacerbated by academic pressures, financial worries and social isolation.

“Although the university offers counseling services, they are under-resourced. You can see this when you look at the number of suicide cases we have registered this academic year,” according to the university’s state of affairs report from the student’s perspective.

UJ media liaison manager Herman Esterhuizen confirms this The citizen that the institution recorded an unknown number of cases this academic year.

However, he said that while UJ recognized the “significant mental health challenges faced by many students”, the number of suicides at the school could not be disclosed, citing confidentiality and sensitivity.

“Precise statistics on such sensitive matters are treated with strict privacy considerations, and details are made public in accordance with ethical guidelines and legal requirements. In sharing these comments, we also take into account the impact on the families of the students who tragically lost their lives,” Esterhuizen said. The citizen.

UJ said it is prioritizing mental health support through partnerships with external organisations, expanding digital advice resources and optimizing triage systems.

Esterhuizen said UJ had also seen an increase in demand for student support and health services, “due to a growing awareness of mental health and the importance of support”.

The financial burden is heavy

According to the institution, the increase in registration fees has placed a heavy burden on students, who also have to pay tuition fees, books, accommodation and living expenses.

UJ increased the registration fee from R3 870 in 2023 to R5 560, and from R6 470 to R9 270 for residence students.

“Many rely on grants such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas), while others work part-time, leading to stress and impacting academic performance,” the report said.

It also stated that Nsfas-funded students face delayed financial confirmations, processing of appeals and the fear of being withdrawn without reason.

The university said it was providing meal assistance to more than 6,000 students who “would otherwise go hungry.”

Safety and security issues

Student safety at UJ also emerged as a critical issue, especially beyond campus boundaries.

The participation council called safety on campus “great”. However, it cited reports of “theft, kidnapping and occasional physical confrontations” at the various university gates.

According to the report, students’ safety remained at risk while commuting to and from campus.

They highlighted evening classes and limited security patrols as relevant risks.

The university has responded by “intensifying security measures by expanding patrol zones around campus boundaries and deploying additional security personnel during peak hours, including 24/7 surveillance cameras and dedicated secure routes,” Esterhuizen said.

The institution said it maintained strong working relationships with local law enforcement and community projects such as Jozi My Jozi to address off-campus safety concerns.

READ ALSO: Confirmed: University of Johannesburg student killed in shooting in Braamfontein

UJ’s diverse student challenges

Housing remains an ongoing problem, with many students forced to stay in overcrowded or poorly maintained private accommodation due to limited capacity in university-owned housing.

“In addition, the university’s residence halls have limited capacity, which means that many students find themselves on long waiting lists, especially first-year and international students.”

According to Esterhuizen, the university conducts thorough inspections of off-campus housing before they are accredited and conducts regular follow-ups to ensure standards are maintained.

He also said UJ is working to establish future projects that will expand accommodation capacity on campus.

Despite satisfaction with the quality of education, students have expressed concerns about limited academic resources and large class sizes that hinder engagement.

Access to teachers outside of class has also proven difficult, with technological barriers creating additional challenges, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The university responded with laptop loan programs and expanded access to computer labs.

According to the student council, the ongoing water crisis in Johannesburg has further complicated campus life, although the university says it has taken emergency measures.

“UJ has distributed water tanks across campuses to maintain access during shortages and has purchased water tankers to ensure the continued movement of water to areas where it is needed,” Esterhuizen explains.

Campus social life, while generally vibrant with several student-run clubs and societies, faces criticism for the limited diversity of events and the underrepresentation of certain student demographics in leadership roles.

The Soweto campus specifically faces additional challenges due to power outages linked to cable theft disrupting academic activities.

READ NOW: Students abandoned by Nsfas are turning to social media for crowdfunding