Madonsela addresses students as a mother
A relative calm was restored to the University of the Witwatersrand last night when the curfew was lifted for the evening.
The 10.00pm curfew was imposed on campus and residences last week in an effort to curb after-dark protest against higher education fees, but up until last night this merely acted as an aggravating factor, leading to more clashes between police and students.
"It was an informal agreement for last night. Management will meet today to decide on whether to keep it or lift it," Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel said.
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Following a peace accord meeting last night, prominent figures - like former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and former minister Jay Naidoo - managed to broker a temporary deal.
Madonsela received a hero's welcome inside the Solomon Mahlangu Hall as she stood up to address students.
WATCH #Wits #Fees2017 A song for Thuli Madonsela.
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She explained that she was there speaking to students as a mother.
Madonsela assured the students that their fight for free education was legitimate, but stressed the importance of doing so peacefully.
"Let's find a way not to have the police as a buffer between government and the people. Let government and the people talk. Let's find peaceful solutions. It is a legitimate cause. And thank you for leading us. You have shown us that age doesn't matter. When it's your time to lead, you must step up and things change when somebody steps up" she said.