2016 fee increase moratorium not end of the road
The cancellation of the proposed 2016 tuition fee hike was not the end of the road for protesting students across the country, the South African Students Congress (SASCO) said on Monday.
“We are sternly of the view that the issue of no fees is a minimal victory and our ultimate victory will be the attainment of free education in South Africa and the complete transformation of our universities,” the organisation said.
“It is for this reason that we believe students should always be vigilant and raise the question of free quality higher education in South Africa.”
The organisation said university campuses had a number of problems that needed solutions.
“This is why it is important for our structures to not be lost in celebration and miss an opportunity to engage these questions that will affect registration next year.”
“We appeal to all our structures to continue to struggle for their aims without being captured by forces of reaction that are hellbent at weakening student’s movement and totally collapsing our universities. It is important that we guard against these wedge-drivers and agent provocateurs.”
Most university campuses around the country had decided to continue with protests, despite an announcement by President Jacob Zuma on Friday to put a moratorium on 2016 fee hikes.
The students argued that only one of their several demands was achieved following a march to the Union Buildings on Friday.
They are demanding free education for all and that universities stop the outsourcing of staff and services.
SASCO cautioned on the continued shutdown of campuses.
“The organisation is currently busy engaging all its structures about the way forward on its call for a national shutdown, noting the conditions cited above. During this period, we are calling for a go-slow on the national shutdown. We are very committed to the resumption of the academic programme and ensuring that students are given time to prepare and write their examinations,” it said. - ANA
(File photo)