Stellenbosch University (SU) students have raised concerns about the cost of returning to the town for graduation after the university cancelled its December ceremonies.
Stellenbosch University will now have one graduation occurring in March once a year. PHOTO: Nomndeni Ndlovu
In the past, the university held graduation ceremonies twice a year, in March and December.
This year the March graduation will take place from the 23rd to the 26th of the month.
Previously, final-year students who made use of A3 or later assessment opportunities graduated the following year in March, according to the SU statement published on 24 July 2025.
“All students in a specific class will also now graduate together, irrespective of whether they have written an A2, A3 or Dean’s concession assessments,” the university said in a statement.
The December 2025 graduation was the final December ceremony held by SU. All graduations will now occur in March/April from 2027 onwards.
Students say the change may create additional financial strain, as they will have to pay for accommodation, travel and other expenses if they return to Stellenbosch months after completing their studies.
Noluthando Zikali, who completed her undergraduate degree in 2025 at SU and graduated in December the same year, said that logistics were much easier when she graduated.
“I stayed until December last year for my graduation, and I did not have to book a flight ticket to travel or accommodation. There were open residences where I paid only for that day, which made things easier financially,” she said.
Siphumelele Luthango, a final-year SU Education student, said that the cancellation could have a severe financial impact on students.
“Delaying official graduation by three months pushes back entry into the workforce, which can mean losing thousands of potential [of rands] income, while also creating a stressful gap in living expenses, and student loan repayment,” Luthango said.
Luthango added that the cancellation felt like a significant disruption to a long-standing tradition.
“On an emotional level, it breaks the expected rhythm of finishing exams and immediately celebrating with peers. Many students are forced to choose between their post-grad plans and attending the event they’ve worked toward for years,” she said.
Gina Sithole, a 4th-year data engineering student, said that the change could also affect graduates who are already working.
“Since first year, I had expectations of my graduation being in December. Imagine how hard it is having to ask for a day off at work to graduate because I wouldn’t want to miss my graduation. All that would have been avoided if we had been graduating in December,” said Sithole.
Stellenbosch University students attending graduation in December 2025. PHOTO: Stellenbosch University/ Facebook
A student, who asked not to be named, created a poll on WhatsApp where students were asked whether they prefer a graduation in March or December.
All 149 students who participated in the poll selected December as the month they would prefer their graduation to occur.
A WhatsApp poll was created to see how many students would like the December graduation not to be cancelled. PHOTO: Screenshot from an anonymous student who created the poll.
The student mentioned that most students live far away, while some are now outside of South Africa.
“It will be difficult to get work leave or come back when you are not in the country anymore. I don’t want to change any traditions but all I want to do is make the university [SU] aware that we all feel the same way about this,” said the student.
In a statement published by the university, they explained the reasoning behind the December graduation being cancelled.
“Following extensive consultation with the Rectorate, all faculties and the Academic Planning Committee (APC), the Senate decided on one annual graduation period with several ceremonies over a number of days,” said SU in the statement.
SMF News reached out to the registrar’s office for comment, but they did not respond by the time of publication.