The National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) elected to disband on this day. Founded in 1924, the aim of the organisation was to represent and promote the various interests of tertiary education learners. It was open to members of all races; and also called for the end of apartheid and all discriminatory policies. While the organisation was considered by some to have been co-opted by the government, it had adopted the Freedom Charter and developed a relationship with the Congress of South African Students (COSAS). The reasoning behind the dissolution of the organisation was that the members felt that in light of the many changes that were occurring in South Africa, they and the country would benefit more greatly from individual actions than as a collective.
2 July 1991
NUSAS disbands
- Updated
- 2 Jul 2026

Nusas Students at a protest
How we know this
- 01Potgieter, D.J.(ed)(1973). Standard Encyclopedia of Southern Africa Vol. 8: Cape Town: Nasou, pp.90-91.Archives
- 02Potgieter, D.J.(ed)(1976). Standard Encyclopedia of Southern Africa Vol. 11: Cape Town: Nasou, p.126.
Last updated · 2 Jul 2026
South African History Online. (2014, July 1). NUSAS disbands. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0097936
South African History Online (2014) 'NUSAS disbands', South African History Online, 1 July. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0097936 (Accessed: 19 October 2026).
South African History Online, NUSAS disbands [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0097936, (accessed 19 October 2026).
"NUSAS disbands." South African History Online, 1 July 2014, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0097936. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "NUSAS disbands." South African History Online. July 1, 2014. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0097936.
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