Student leaders happy with protest outcome
BRAAMFONTEIN – After a tumultuous protest, Wits leaders Mcebo Dlamini and Vuyani Pambo say they are happy with the outcome.
As exams loom closer and the student #FeesMustFall protest movement slows down, Wits University sent a statement through its website that an agreement with workers and students on outsourcing was reached on 1 November.
Axed SRC president Mcebo Dlamini, who helped lead the protest from its infancy until the end, said that the students accepted the agreement and were happy to have seen the protest through until the end.
Dlamini added that it was disappointing that the university did not commit to scrap outsourcing immediately. “We understand that Rome was not built in one day and that we must allow for time for the process of in-sourcing to be implemented,” he said.
He pointed out that if the university reneged on its agreement to end outsourcing, they would hold them accountable.
“The journey is still long however, we will be back next year to continue with the students’ demand if necessary,” he said.
EEF student chairperson Vuyani Pambo was also instrumental in leading the protest alongside the two SRC presidents Shaeera Kalla and Nompendulo Mkatshwa.
Pambo said he felt that more could have been achieved but agreed that the students achieved victory nonetheless. “What we achieved is a milestone that has set precedents for the future,” Pambo said.
He added that the students’ point of view was heard.
He pointed out that the support from the workers was appreciated and pushed the students’ struggle forward. He said that there was a power shift that showed that students had indeed the power to make changes.
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