Political and civil organisations respond to fee protest
JOBURG – Various organisations stand in solidarity with students.
While students from several government universities embarked on a nationwide protest on 21 October against the fee increment, various political and civil organisations showed solidarity with students.
Equal Education (EE) affirmed its solidarity to the struggle of students, staff and academics at university campuses nationwide.
EE indicated in a statement that they endorsed the calls made by students of Wits University, Rhodes University, University of Fort Hare and the University of Cape Town.
“We know that many of our members and their peers may never pass through the doors of higher education because of exorbitant fees.
“As an organisation of poor and working-class parents, we know that it is impossible to provide a decent life for a family as an outsourced worker who is paid poverty wage,” said EE spokesperson Nombulelo Nyathela.
According to EE, only the rich could afford higher education and access institutions of higher learning with little or no challenges when the poor were subjected to students’ debts in the form of bank loans or National Student Financial aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Afriforum Youth admitted fees were too high, however, campus violence was not justified.
The civil organisation spokesperson Ian Cameron explained that the violent demonstrations are also inspired by political motives.
“Tuition fees are not the only motive. The violent demonstration of these radical student groups such as Sasco, EFF, and the ANC Youth League is a cover to insist on transformation where they cannot exercise so-called ‘control,” Cameron said.
He explained that although Afriforum was against an excessive raise in tuition fees, violation of other students’ rights by disrupting classes and examinations was unacceptable.
The DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s spokesperson Mabine Seabe said the doors of education should be open to all and that government should come with a policy that will prioritise funds for students – especially from poor backgrounds.
“Billions are lost through corruption and if that money can be channelled appropriately into NSFAS, it will work,” he said.
Details: Afriforum Youth, 084 299 6928; Equal Education, 060 503 4933; DA 084 677 7851.
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