The University of Fort Hare (UFH) recently completed its final examinations for the 2025 academic year, demonstrating significant resilience after a period of destructive student protests in October. The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, has expressed optimism for a productive 2026 academic year, signaling that the institution is on a strong recovery path.
💥 The Destructive Student Protests (October 2025)
The violent student unrest in October 2025 led to the complete closure of UFH campuses in Alice and East London and resulted in extensive and costly infrastructure damage.
- Destruction of Property: At least seven buildings were burned down during the protests, with the total damage estimated to be between R250 million and R500 million. Key structures destroyed included:
- The Administration Building (containing academic records).
- The Senate Chamber.
- The Examinations Office.
- The Human Resources Department.
- The Staff Centre Building.
- The Education Building in East London.
- Core Demands: The main grievances that fueled the protests centered on institutional governance and student representation:
- Demand for the immediate resignation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu.
- Accusations that management was illegitimate and had failed to adhere to democratic processes.
- Urgent demand for Student Representative Council (SRC) elections to be held, rejecting the management’s decision to appoint an interim SRC after the previous one’s term expired.
- Alleged Political Influence: The VC, Professor Buhlungu, publicly stated his belief that the violence was “sponsored” or politically orchestrated. This was suggested to be linked to his ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which had involved inviting the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into the institution, with the imminent release of a report potentially implicating high-ranking officials and politicians.
✅ Academic Recovery and Moving Forward
In response to the crisis, the university’s leadership immediately focused on salvaging the academic year and initiating a recovery plan.
- The Recovery Plan: The Management Executive Committee developed and implemented a rigorous Institutional Recovery Plan. This plan guided efforts to restore operations and rebuild institutional capacity.
- Completion of Exams: The academic calendar was revised, and the university successfully transitioned to online and blended modes of teaching and assessment to keep the year on track. The final examinations were completed smoothly and on schedule in late November/early December, a testament to the commitment of both staff and students.
- Looking to 2026: Having concluded the turbulent 2025 academic year, the VC is now expressing optimism about moving past the disruption. The university is focusing on the rebuilding efforts and has been making moves to restore normal governance, including the announcement of SRC elections.
This video captures the aftermath of the protests and the extensive damage to the campus infrastructure. Walkabout Highlight Video After Fort Hare Campus Unrest
