Campuses opening, but it’s not business as usual

UCT’S Student Representative Council (SRC) does not support the return of students to campus today.

In a statement on their Facebook page, the SRC confirmed they did not endorse the university’s decision to open its doors – supported by private security guards.

This follows academics joining students in a silent protest calling for the university to be reopened today.

The advisory committee of the UCT faculty of humanities’ dean issued a statement calling for the stalemate to be unlocked, and while some believe security would mean “business as usual”, many believed this will not be the case.

Student activist Simon Rakei said meetings between management and the students, with the mediation services of the Cape Law Society (CLS), began at the weekend.

“They’ve agreed to help in appointing a mediator and seeing through the compilation of the terms of reference and body of the SRC,” he said.

The CLS council met last week to establish a team to mediate the impasse between students, universities and government departments in light of Fees Must Fall protests around the country.

Council of the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) co-chairpersons Jan van Rensburg and Mvuzo Notyesi said in a statement: “We offer the skills and expertise of our attorney mediators on a pro bono basis in an effort to get representatives of universities, student formations and relevant government departments around the table in dialogue.”

Stellenbosch spokesperson Martin Viljoen confirmed the university will be opened today.

CPUT students activist said after concluding disruptions on its Cape Town and Bellville campuses, there had been discussions about the coming week.

They were not engaging the institution’s management as this occurred only when property and staff were at risk, they said.

On its website, CPUT confirmed the institution will be open.