OPINION: The struggle for higher education
The images are disturbing. Buildings set alight, young people running around, clashing with police. Rubber bullets and teargas used to disperse crowds and silence the protesting voices. This is not South Africa in the 70's or 80's - the South Africa our parents told stories about. It's the here and now. This is our reality.
A week ago, JacarandaFM news reporter Samkele Maseko filed images from the University of Pretoria, where students were protesting the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. His first report indicated that gates were locked. Clearly the university management anticipated something. But they were not prepared for what followed. Moments later chaos broke out as police and students battled it out on the premises. Maseko found himself in the midst of a scuffle between EFF campus leaders and police - who then tried to stop him from filming the scene.
Judging from the images captured, police officers weren't monitoring the situation, no close eye was kept on the proceedings. They were actively involved in what was happening and journalists themselves were in the firing line. A week on, and violence flares again - this time at the universities of the North West and Free State. The Mahikeng campus of NWU has now been closed indefinitely after the torching of buildings - reportedly over unhappiness about a new SRC elected. Students were told to go home. At the University of the Free State a rugby match turned into a brawl between protestors and spectators. Issues of transformation and exclusivity are now being raised.
The situation is clearly getting out of hand. And while no one can condone the violence and destruction taking place - the real issues cannot and must not be ignored. Amid the statues going down and buildings being torched, there are real, hard issues at higher education institutions that must be dealt with. The voices of our young people are growing louder, angrier and more determined with every day that passes without it being addressed.
We must not lose sight of the real issues, even though the distractions are there - and comes in the form of the senseless violence we see on our screens. Higher education is not accessible to many, even though you might be academically deserving. Not everyone can be accommodated. That is just our reality. But also - once you make it to a university, it's not a given that you will receive instruction in your mother tongue. In fact, you will be in the minority if this applies to you.
The language debate is a real one that must be had and sorted out. Our very liberal and lauded constitution states "all official languages must enjoy parity of esteem and must be treated equitably…" and there's a good case to be made for the fact that we've done very little in terms of affording all languages the status given to it in the Constitution - especially at our educational facilities.
The Bill of rights sets out rights that must be afforded to everyone in terms of an education in the following way - "everyone has the right to a basic education, including adult basic education and to further education, which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible…" A lot rests on the shoulders of government - and it must deliver. More than 20 years after democracy, the voices of this generation are demanding change. Now.
When the voices grew louder about fees that must fall, government listened and acted. But only for this year. In 2016 there will be no fee increases. That still doesn't mean that fees have fallen. Now a presidential commission of inquiry will be established to look into fee structures and other related matters at these institutions. The commission will have eight months in which to complete its work. Eight months. By then, and at the rate things are happening on our campuses, South Africa could be a very different country.
To deal with the issues of transformation and related matters - Parliament's portfolio committee on higher education and training recently had a two day public hearing into the Higher Education Amendment Bill. Submissions were made by a variety of organisations, including universities. Now the department will comment on these submissions made. There's no better time than the present for minister Blade Nzimande to step in and take charge. The entire student population of this country is waiting on you, mister minister. Waiting and wanting to listen. So speak up.
Written by Faith Daniels, Head of News: Kagiso Media