Clergy join education crisis forum

As universities brace for another turbulent year the clergy have offered themselves as a buffer.

The South African Council of Churches (SACC), in partnership with the Higher Education Parents Dialogue (Hepard), have joined forces with the National Education Crisis Forum, headed by former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, to assist in finding lasting solutions in the education sector.

The offer was made by SACC general secretary Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana.

The forum unveiled plans for hosting a higher education national convention at a media briefing on Thursday.

“We commit to neutrality to allow for peace-brokering in the event of violence and mediation in the event of conflict,” Mpumlwana said.

The SACC acknowledged the struggle of the students for free quality education “as legitimate, warranting attention and correction”.

Thabo Moloja, president of the South African Students Congress (Sasco), welcomed the initiative.

“The sector has been experiencing turbulence. There have also been other opportunistic elements that thrive on anarchy, intimidation and violent acts and this has created an uneasiness in the sector.”

Although there are widespread fears of student protests, Moloja said Sasco had no plans for protests “but I will not comment on branches who may have reasons to protest”.

Ahmed Bawa, chief executive of Universities South Africa, welcomed the move by the SACC.

Regarding free education, he said: “We are nowhere near that solution as yet.”

Irvin Phenyane, the chairperson of Hepard, said: “Student leaders say students have not been able to register because of issues over fees. There are also formations which just want the protests.”

He said student representative councils met the higher education department and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme on Tuesday to try to resolve the issues.