Con Hill tackles #FeesMustFall

With student and youth issues at the heart of the ongoing Constitutional debate, university leaders and influential minds from across Gauteng made time to gather for a student forum at Constitution Hill.

Student leaders from across Wits University campuses, dignitaries and invited guests launched the first #IamConstitution student panel discussion to exchange thoughts and ideas around current social challenges for students in South Africa within the context of the 20th anniversary of South Africa’s Constitution.

The students were given the chance to engage with some of the most influential personalities in South Africa which included struggle icon Dr Mathews Phosa and Ruby Ichikowitz, student director of The Ichikowitz Family Foundation, as well as Tshidiso Ramogale of the Human Rights Commission, among others.

Wits SRC president Nompendulo Mkatshwa explained why it was so important to hold an event of this type and get the conversation started. “We need to understand the Constitution,” said Mkatshwa. “What does it actually speak of? Let’s talk about its pros and cons, let’s properly analyse and get to the roots of the Constitution in order for us, as the youth, to advance our plight – we need to understand the Constitution.”

What was most important for the Wits students to understand, was the right to equal and adequate education as they continue their fight for tertiary education fees to fall and therefore afford all people the right to equal opportunities to study in South Africa – one of the main reasons for the #FeesMustFall protests that have taken place across the country.

The gathering was not only used as a platform to educate the students, but also to get the youth from various institutions to appreciate the art on display at Constitution Hill in an exhibition, It’s a Fine Line, curated by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation.

It was a night to gain understanding and appreciate the finer things in life.