Student protests called off as ministry allocates more funds Sowetan Live. The union made the announcement on 31 March after it held a number of stakeholder engagements to advance the demands of students which were tabled to Nzimande. Student union spokesperson Thabo Shingange said registration has been extended by two weeks and discussions were underway for further extension to accommodate all unregistered students. Meanwhile, Chulumanco Mahamba writes for The Star that Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has condemned the alleged damage to university property and theft by protesting students which cost the state over ZAR32 million (US$2 million).