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The study explored the living
conditions experienced by students residing in the
University of Limpopo (Medunsa campus) situated in
Ga-Rankuwa, a black township in north of Pretoria, South
Africa. A qualitative research was used to obtain data from
the participants with a total of twenty students between
ages 18 to 30, all residing on campus residences (1A, 1B,
1C, 1D, 2B, 4B, 5A, 5B, Lost city and Med city). The sample
consisted of a combination of both males and females with
different courses of study; year in school and nationalities
(e.g. Kenya). Three focus groups were conducted to
investigate students’ experiences of the living conditions
in residences using semi-structured interview questionnaire.
Thematic content analysis was utilised to analyse the
textual data that was gathered from the participants. The
results of this study indicated that students from
University of Limpopo (Medunsa campus) regard their living
conditions as unbearable, unhygienic, broken, unsafe,
unclean and not in sound health. The students further
elicited that the living conditions of Medunsa campus
residences affect their academic, health and social life.
Furthermore, the participants indicated that males and
females share residential facilities such as toilets,
kitchens and bathrooms, which create an unhealthy
environment. Other factors that students expressed as
concerns include too much noise and alcohol consumption.
Most students mentioned using disinfectants and studying at
the study halls as different coping strategies to cope with
these living conditions.
Keywords: Students; residences; living conditions;
university; health; safety; risk behaviours; qualitative
research; thematic content analysis
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