Management, SRC reach an agreement

OPERATIONS are expected to resume at the University of South Africa (Unisa) today after an agreement was reached between the university management and its student representative council (SRC) on Saturday.

Unisa spokesperson Martin Ramotshela said the agreement came as a result of the breakthrough made by the parties during negotiations within the university, as well as constructive engagement by the parties with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), focusing on the registration challenges at Unisa, which included accreditation, enrolment planning, provision of laptops and other matters.

The five-day protest, which resulted in the shutdown of all Unisa campuses in the country, has been called off.

Unisa vice-chancellor Professor Mandla Makhanya welcomed the agreement by the SRC and said he was pleased that the operations of the university were to return to normal.

“Notwithstanding the agreement, we still urge students to register online unless it is absolutely necessary to visit a Unisa Service Centre,” he said.

Western Cape SRC chairperson Sifundo Ndzube said some of their demands included no fee increment, examination resources, delivery of study material, outstanding results and “ridiculous” returned results.

The university has agreed to consider an additional 25000 spaces for students who have applied for the first semester of this year, and who qualify.

The SRC disagreed with the university’s fee increment and reserved the right to continue campaigning for “Free Education”.

DHET spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele said Minister Naledi Pandor was pleased that activities at Unisa were set to resume and thanked the management and student representatives for the agreement reached.