ANC violence at NMMU will hurt poor students

11 July 2016

ANC-aligned student’s organisation, SASCO, has through intimidation and violence, closed down Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). 

This has happened in the middle of exams, and will hurt students, especially those who are poor. Particularly because no students are involved in this protest but rather a few members of SASCO and mostly staff. 

We condemn this violence and call on the ANC to stop this political abuse of genuine students’ concerns.

DASO has raised numerous issues with the University, and last night initiated a peaceful sit-in, to highlight serious funding issues, which lies at the door-step of the national government. 

We did this precisely because we know how important it is to fight for students’ rights, without undermining their education at the same time.  

Our chief concern is that many students are still not able to fund their studies, despite qualifying. As a result, many students have had their results withheld, and are facing no funding for meals and textbooks. 

The DASO-led SRC has endeavoured to raise funds to assist students without funding with day-to-day needs, including textbooks. So far the SRC has collected more than 1000 textbooks throughout the holidays in an attempt to alleviate the crisis. To this end we encourage all students to unite behind the democratically elected SRC who are presently listening to the concerns of students at residences and will lead peaceful protest founded on student-centric issues.

This is because more needs to be done. The Department of Higher Education, under Blade Nzimande, has failed our students. There is not enough funding for higher education institutions. This means that students who qualify for university will be forced to drop out, or will not succeed because they are poor. This perpetuates the cycle of poverty and inequality. 

The ANC had an opportunity in Parliament to support the DA’s proposal to increase funding for NSFAS by more than R2 billion. They are instead planning to purchase a R4 billion jet for Jacob Zuma.

The DA will continue to fight, peacefully, for more funding for students – so that every qualifying young South African can access the training and education they need to access opportunities and live a life they dignity.  

Issued by Yusuf Cassim, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, 11 July 2016