January 10th, 2012
10:07 AM ET

South Africa: One dead in stampede for university places

A stampede on a university campus in Johannesburg Tuesday left one woman dead and several people injured, according to eyewitness reports.

The victim was the mother of one of many prospective students who had gathered in the early hours to enroll in the University of Johannesburg, according to the African National Congress Youth League, the youth wing of the governing ANC party.

Local media reported that 17 people were also injured.

Thousands of young people and their relatives had gathered outside the campus gates hoping to secure some of the last remaining university places or admission slots for students. Some chose to sleep outside overnight, desperate to sign up.

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Filed under: Africa • South Africa • World
soundoff (12 Responses)
  1. Scottish Mama

    More teachers and infrastructure needed-appy within.

    January 10, 2012 at 10:11 am | Report abuse |
  2. Scottish Mama

    Meant; apply within.

    January 10, 2012 at 10:16 am | Report abuse |
  3. tim

    This is sad. Hope they will be ok.

    January 10, 2012 at 10:23 am | Report abuse |
  4. Gold Dragon©

    I understand that an education is important but that was quite extreme – dying for an education – SMH

    January 10, 2012 at 10:41 am | Report abuse |
    • Eva Luna

      There are stampedes at Walmart for toys. These people are desperate for their children to have a better life than they were dealt.

      January 10, 2012 at 3:21 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Kandi

    Sure wouldnt see that happening in the United States! The stampede would be for the opposite, trying to get out!

    January 10, 2012 at 10:56 am | Report abuse |
  6. Tyrone James

    Hope the university honors the mother-by enrolling the son. She did not have to die this way. This is not right. South Africa please get your systems in order-PLEASE-PLEASE

    January 10, 2012 at 10:59 am | Report abuse |
  7. Joey Isotta-Fraschini ©™

    @ Kandi:
    You understand.

    January 10, 2012 at 2:00 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Rev Al Sharpton

    Stampede? What kind of racial slur is that? I suppose all black folk are livestock.

    January 10, 2012 at 2:09 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Saoirse

    That's such a shame! I wish things were better for these people.
    @Kandi: Lol!

    January 10, 2012 at 6:12 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Mitt

    S. Africa is mostly white

    January 11, 2012 at 1:08 am | Report abuse |
  11. Ramazan

    The victim was the mother of one of many prospective students who had gathered in the early hours to enroll in the University of Johannesburg, according to the African National Congress Youth League, the youth wing of the governing ANC party. http://www.ilmkidunya.com

    January 11, 2012 at 6:28 am | Report abuse |
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