DASO opposed to university shut-downs

15 August 2016

The Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (DASO) is strongly opposed to campus shut-downs by student organisations.

Such a move will only make the situation worse for all students, especially those from poor backgrounds, by disrupting valuable academic teaching and support.

It will also do nothing to solve the problem. The continued funding crisis we find ourselves in today is directly a result of the ANC government’s chronic underfunding of students and universities over the last decade.

The calls to disrupt teaching time by the poorly disguised ANC front organisation, SAUS, is nothing more than an attempt to distract attention away from the Luthuli House’s blame in this regard. 

DASO calls on Universities and students to stand together in holding the real culprits, the ANC government, accountable for this situation. Students’ legitimate anger should be channelled at Minister Blade Nzimande and the ANC he has represented. If any place should be shut down, it is Luthuli House. 

DASO believes that no qualifying student should be prevented from pursuing an education just because they cannot afford to do so. It is time that we hold our government accountable for their failure to do so, and find real and workable solutions to address the problem. It is not the time to falsely misdirect blame at our universities. This will only further harm our precious higher education institutions and hurt poor students in the long-term.

Issued by Yusuf Cassim, DASO Leader, 15 August, 2016