Mthashana FET students were seen singing and dancing outside the school campus in Hlobane Road on Monday morning as a way of highlighting their grievances. The students mentioned that there are a lot of things they are not satisfied with and that hinder them from attending classes the way they wish. The main factor they mentioned as a hindrance is ‘finances’. Speaking on condition of anonymity, she said, “Since January, we have not received our finances from NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) and we do not know what is happening. We also don’t know what’s happening with the SRC (Student Representative Council) and the school management. Students need that money so they can attend classes; if they do not get the cash, they lack transport money to get to college. Those who are renting accommodation cannot pay and buy food, and we are just not happy about several things here at the college.”
While they were singing ‘asinamali’ (which means ‘we do not have money’), SRC members came and requested them to keep quiet so they can solve the issue at hand. The SRC members requested that the students write down their grievances and address the situation in the proper manner, instead of having an illegal protest. Speaking to the crowd, SRC member Thandeka said, “We are all here as students, so the things that you guys are complaining about, we are also complaining about. We also feel what you feel, but there is a way to deal with things. The SRC office is always open for student grievances and I am always there, but I have never seen one of you coming with your complaints. I always see it on Facebook and now we see you protesting.’’ The students were advised to write down all their grievances and wait for feedback. The students were told that classes would continue as normal and their complaints would be attended to; they will receive answers by next week Monday.
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