The University of Fort Hare (UFH) has taken decisive steps to restore stability and ensure academic continuity following the shutdown on 8 October 2025. An Integrated Recovery Plan, finalised today by the University’s Management Executive Committee (MEC) and Emergency Management Task Team (EMTT), sets out the roadmap for continuity in teaching and learning, student affairs, properties and services, and ICT.
Reaffirming the University’s commitment, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, said: “We will finish the academic year – we will do it for all our students.”
“The primary, overarching goal of the University Council, MEC, the University’s Extended Management Team (EMT), and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is to preserve the academic year. This will ensure that examinations can go ahead, thus enabling students to complete the academic year, and, importantly, ensuring that final-year students complete their studies to graduate next year.”
The damage sustained on the Alice Campus is extensive. The University lost a brand-new University Clinic scheduled to open next month to serve students. The Agriculture Building, with its newly upgraded R20 million laboratories, the Staff Centre, and three wings of the Main Administration Building, was also destroyed. The Student Affairs building suffered significant damage, while in East London, the Education building was affected.
The VC confirmed that a large-scale clean-up campaign is already underway.
“The Integrated Recovery Plan, which will be finalised today, will be submitted to Council and shared with the Minister of Higher Education,” he said.
He further noted that the University is working to ensure safety across campuses and maintain open communication with all stakeholders. “We are addressing occupational health and safety issues and engaging with stakeholders, including students, to de-escalate tensions and ensure that the University returns to normal operations. We ask our students to be patient and await official communication indicating when it is safe to return.”
Prof Buhlungu also emphasised the importance of unity and shared responsibility during this period of recovery. “I have directed MEC portfolio heads to communicate with staff and students in the coming days to build awareness, confidence, and understanding of the continuity plans being rolled out,” he said.
“For now, I ask each student, employee, and alumnus to give expression to our core values of respect and professionalism in their conduct as we stabilise the University. I want to thank all staff for their steadfastness and dedication in the face of these challenges.”