Wits SRC raises R3.5m for student fees
Some cash-strapped students at Wits University might get a lifeline after the Student Representative Council (SRC) raised additional funds to help with registration.
Student leaders launched the campaign at the start of the year amid growing concerns about the billions in tuition fees owed by students across the country.
In recent weeks, parts of Johannesburg were rocked by protests after students waged a fight against historical debt.
The protests spread to other parts of the country.
Several students were arrested, while others were injured.
A 35-year-old bystander, Mthokozisi Ntumba, was also killed.
Wits SRC president Mpendulo Mfeka admits they’re still far from the target of R21 million.
“Over the space of the past 3 months, we’ve been raising money through our ‘21 million in 2021’ campaign and we’ve managed to raise about R3.5 million,” says Mfeka.
“We’ll be allocating the money to needy students to register. It’s not enough yet but we will try and help as many people as we can help.”
Despite the milestone, Mfeka adds the protests haven’t been called off.
“With us, you would know that we get our mandate from the ground, so the ground is yet to call of the protest, so it means we are continuing with protests going into this week.
“We’re going to strengthen and continue the fight free, quality and decolonised education and ensure that students have access to higher learning, and it seems there’s only one way in our country and that is primarily through the picket line,” says Mfeka.
Wits closed the registration period on Friday.
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