Sasco/ANC betray the struggle for freedom at Fort Hare

About 400 DASO students packed the venue to hear candidates for the SRC election, scheduled for 10 October, speak.  I was there to speak on the New Freedom Struggle, and Fort Hare's role in it.

SASCO students tried to prevent DASO using a venue, and then sought to disrupt it once it had started.  When the lights went off, DASO students gathered outside the venue, as SASCO members hurled insults.

It is a tragedy that the University, which is the alma mater of some of the giants of the struggle for Democracy, from Nelson Mandela to Desmond Tutu, Robert Sobukwe, should be the site of such intolerance and anti-democratic behaviour.  It brings shame to the institution and sullies the legacy of people who devoted their lives for freedom.

It was very encouraging to see the DASO students stand firm, and refuse to be intimidated.

It is clear that the DA is growing very rapidly and that the ANC is terrified of losing power.  We have had a fore-taste of what to expect in election 2014.

We will not be intimidated.  We will stand firm and uphold everyone's rights to choose the government they want, whether it is on a university campus or in the Union Buildings.

Statement issued by DA leader Helen Zille, October 3 2013

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