Student power reminiscent of the 1976 Soweto Uprisings
Methinks that the students have given an indication that they can stand up to leaders, including the president, to address their concerns
Student power reminiscent of the 1976 Soweto Uprisings surfaced yet again as tertiary students took to the streets demanding, among others, the nullifying of an increase in tuition in 2016.
That was a real wake-up call for the government that the youth can change the current trend of governance by confronting the powers that be, listen and implement change. It was the youth in 1976 who changed the complexion and direction of the struggle by revolting against the then
apartheid regime’s compulsory usage of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at schools.
Political organisations had been banned and many leaders and members alike, had been in prisons all over the country. The likes of the ANC, PAC and the Black Consciousness Movement had gone to exile, then the youth revolution resuscitated the struggle.
The youth feel neglected by the ruling party and politicians in general. Even opposition parties like the DA have been targeting recruitment among black tertiary students. This signifies that the thousands of qualified graduates remain jobless in their numbers and very often are used as pawns in campaigns by political organisations which make endless promises.
Me thinks that the students have given an indication that they can stand up to leaders, including the president, to address their concerns. They have demonstrated to the fearful politicians who don’t rise up against the rampant corruption and maladministration purported to exist in all government institutions led by the ANC.
What has been encouraging by the current students’ revolt, was their stern stance to stop political parties from being opportunistic of their cause as they stood side by side, both black and white, and told organisations to take a hike.
It also emerged that some party-clad individuals brought pizza for the students at the Union Buildings, which was viewed negatively by a section of these students who never munched any of it – they felt these people were now hijacking their cause.
At least my fears have been eased because their ignorance of active participation in politics is for a good reason – they know what they want in life as they also uphold this country’s founding principles of democracy by entrenching a multiracial approach in their cause – a direct bearing to the Freedom Charter that this country belongs to all who live in it, black and white.
The future of this country awaits to be handed over to these progressive students with all my blessing.
