VIDEO: Student protest boils over in R’fontein
'Strike as a result of other institutions striking' – President of the Westcol.
Westcol Randfontein students have followed suit in the nationwide #FeesMustFall protests but have shed light on another aspect as well.
The students once again are protesting about bursary funds that allegedly have not been paid out. Their posters indicate they are in solidarity with other institutions around the country protesting against high student fees.
When the Herald arrived, students stood outside Westcol singing and dancing. In front of the main gate at Westcol, tyres were being burned.
The president of the Westcol SRC, Lubabalo Magodongo said,
All the students are participating. Some of them already went home. This strike is as a result of other institutions striking. Our demands are simple, we want Westcol to pay out our bursaries. Some of the bursaries that have not been paid go as far as 2012.”
Magodongo explained further, “The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) pays students’ bursary money over to Westcol but, the money does not get paid out to the students.”
According to Antionette Shikoane, the SRC secretary, “The payment we want is for our transport and accommodation. When they eventually pay the money out it is at the end of the year in December when we’re on holiday. What are we supposed to do with the money then? On top of that, they still want us to attend 80 per cent of our classes. How can we when we have no money for transport?”
Westcol is currently in their examination period. The protest, which started yesterday, has since interrupted the exams.
We have interrupted the exams with this strike because we want this to end now. We don’t want our future brothers and sisters to have to go through this,” Magodongo said.
The SRC has made it clear; they will end their protest action as soon as their demands are met.
“We were supposed to meet with the campus manager yesterday but instead he decided to do something else. We also requested a meeting with the principal but we were told that he is in Cape Town.”
The SRC president also expressed his frustration with the campus manager.
We are suppressed by the campus manager. He does not raise our issues.”
This is not the first time Westcol students are protesting about their bursary money not being paid out, the Herald last reported on the bursary battle in March.
Westcol students strike https://t.co/z7RYqexLUO @DBE_SA @randpigspot @CPFRandfontein @Anarchy_JHB @SouthAfricaEdu pic.twitter.com/pRQ9fe5dNm
— Jeanne Lindhout (@JeanneVWHerald) March 19, 2015
To view more photos click here.
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 413 8726.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
Also read:
VIDEO: University of Free State students strike despite interdict
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
