Rhodes University students are under pressure as the year draws to an end – not only because of their exams but also because of an increasingly challenging accommodation situation.
Rhodes University students are under pressure as the year draws to an end – not only because of their exams but also because of an increasingly challenging accommodation situation.
Students have to pay their Minimum Initial Payment (MIP) before the second week of January if they want to stay in a residence on campus. Some students are unable to meet this deadline, and as a result may find themselves in the undesirable situation of being stuck without a place to stay at the beginning of the year.
Affordability is also an issue as the increase in res fees influences what students living in rented accommodation or digs will pay. This year the residence fee was R 30 880 per year and the expectation is that res fees will rise by between 8% and 10% a year. But the Dean of Students, Prof Vivian de Klerk says this is not necessarily the case- there is no automatic increase and it has in recent years been between 8% and 13%.
She says that electricity costs are due to rise by 40% next year, and this must be taken into account when setting the fee. The res fee includes many extras such as water, electricity and the cost of security – as well as the cost of three meals per day. However, there is space for only around half of the 6 800 Rhodes students, so the rest have to find digs.
Robyn Cooper, co-owner of Homelet said that next year students will be spending around R1 500 to R1 800 per room in a digs and between R2 000 to R2 500 for a bachelor flat. Another rental digslist shows prices of up to R2 300 per room, exclusive of water and electricity and partly furnished.
Claire De la Harpe, rental consultant at Pam Golding properties said that the rental price “depends on the landlord and obviously on supply and demand, because there is a shortage of accommodation in Grahamstown. What happens is that people are struggling to find accommodation, so they can command higher prices.”
The rent also varies according to location. Places that are closer to campus are more in demand and more expensive than the less central places. The rental price is also determined by what is inside the house, for instance, if it is furnished or not. However, some families earn a total of R5 000 a month so for these students it becomes difficult to rent in town so there has been a marked migration into the township to find accommodation, even though it is not close to campus.
Unathi Vimbani, a student who has been staying in the township for two years, says during his second year of study his parents did not have enough money to pay the MIP on time. He then had to look for a place in February and most of the places were too expensive for him because he had to pay a deposit and the first month’s rent at the same time.
“I looked for digs that were closer to campus but they were too expensive for me. In the township I managed to find a place within a day and was able He says although the place is not fancy at least it is safe and in a good condition. The only problem is the noise because he stays next to a tavern so it becomes difficult for him to study, especially during weekends. He therefore has to make sure that he finishes all his work before he leaves campus.
Another student who stays in Joza, Siphokazi Thuthani, says that since she stays in the township she does not have to ask her parents for money. The Oppidan allowance that she receives from financial aid is enough for her to afford everything she needs.
“I do everything with it and sometimes I can buy clothes for myself and still be left with pocket money to buy other things such as airtime,” she said. Both students say transport via taxi costs them less than R200 per month. Another benefit is that if you rent a room in the township there are usually no contracts to be signed, so you can leave immediately if you are not satisfied.
