The university fees have fallen, but the government needs to pay attention and formulate a new and workable funding solution for the poor of this country.
But what I find disturbing, though, is the fact that this democratic government still has remnants of apartheid in all its three spheres of government, namely national, provincial and municipal.
Despite 21 years of democracy and the numerous lives lost in the fight against apartheid, where the regime’s policy was that Africans must be seen and not heard, the African voice continues to fall on deaf ears.
Be it the #feesmustfall campaign or service delivery protests, or anything, for that matter, which Africans in this country demand attention to,the government turns a blind eye or simply looks away.
Not the same can be said for grievances from other communities. I have not seen, heard nor even dreamt of white communities toyi-toying in the streets, burning tyres and property, being stunned with grenades and shot at with rubber bullets or live ammo, or being thrown into police vans packed like sardines.
Where is the humanity and dignity that we fought so hard for, that we lost so many souls and lives for? We launched a combative war in order to be heard and treated fairly in a dignified manner, but this is still not happening in this country.
Why should we Africans continue to be heard, only when souls have been lost, properties have been destroyed, many of us have been picked up by the cops and countless tyres having being burnt on the streets.
I want to believe that the varsity students didn’t just wake up one morning and decide they wanted to demonstrate against university fee increases; or that communities just embarked on protest action due to lack of service delivery. I want to believe that before such action, which is usually the last resort, communities, and even students, would have engaged with various levels of authority such as councillors, ward committees, and local leadership of organised structures etc.
This is where these issues are supposed to be addressed and taken up the leadership rung to the relevant authorities for solutions – before communities resort to violence.
Why should we be heard only when we have been killed, maimed and property destroyed? Why can’t governments all over our continent learn to sit down with Africans and discuss issues to find solutions before mayhem ensues? I long for that day.
