‪#‎RhodesMustFall - A Statement from the DASO-UCT Executive

The recent protest action at UCT has changed the political and social landscape at the university. The challenge set to both students and the management structures of UCT is clear and cannot be understated.

DASO-UCT, as a political student body, full supports the removal of the statue as an essential and long overdue movement towards true transformation and redress. The ongoing presence of a controversial British colonialist at the forefront of Upper Campus cannot be tolerated any longer. We call on the management structures - including but not limited to the Student Representative Council, the Office of the Chancellor, the Office of the Vice Chancellor and the Senate of the University of Cape Town - to make the resolution of this protest happen in the appropriate time and with sufficient input from students and student representative bodies.

In addition to this, DASO-UCT supports the discourse surrounding the concept of legitimate protest surrounding transformation and white privilege at UCT. For far too long, this issue has been swept under the carpet and left to small-scale discussion groups. By making the issue public and by making UCT aware of the issue, the leaders of this protest have made the first fundamental step towards deeper change at UCT.

The culture of ignorance and the perpetuation of social ills will not be condoned by DASO and we echo the sentiments of those who are occupying Bremner Building. Due to the inability of the university's management structures to give sufficient answer to the calls of the students, we believe the time is right for a more radical approach.

We look forward to be a greater part of the change happening at UCT and in the nation we love and live in.

#RhodesMustFall ‪#‎UCT ‪#‎ThisIsOurUCT ‪#‎TheTimeIsNow‪#‎RealStudentsRealChange ‪#‎OccupyBremner

Statement issued by Adam Kleinschmidt, Branch Leader - DASO-UCT on behalf of the DASO-UCT Executive Committee, March 22 2015

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