EDITOR – South African students today are facing the difficult climate dominating institutions of higher education.
While NSFAS underspends billions, financial exclusion remains a harsh reality. It has become almost impossible for students to engage in critical thinking without having to turn violent and in the process disrupt fellow student’s education. If students have questions or concerns it has become expected that the only way to get answers, is through the use of force.
The Democratic Alliance Student Organisation has always condemned the use of violence to raise awareness and specifically condemned the use of force. However, DASO is also very aware of the need for students to engage on the issues they are experiencing first hand on campus.
The #WheresTheFunding campaign aims to provide a platform for students to safely engage with the topic of funding and the high cost of a tertiary education. We hope to provide students with the opportunity to ask the questions they have, provide the answers and offer the DA’s solutions.
This campaign will allow students the chance to be informed of the exact reasons why the higher education sector is failing, as well as offering effective and sustainable ways in which it can be restored.
For too long higher education has been ignored and simply swept to the side, students have made it clear that they want to be acknowledged and that their concerns are legitimate and serious.
We urge students to say no to radical organisations, determined to tear up our united and prosperous South Africa. Join the #WTF movement and demand answers to the question, where’s the funding?
Yusuf Cassim MP
DASO Leader
