ANC calls for studies to resume
JOHANNESBURG: The ANC said yesterday it was disturbed by the interruption of the academic programme during the #FeesMustFall protests, calling on protesters to respect the rights of those students who wished to resume their studies.
There were reported disturbances to the resuming of classes at some universities yesterday, including UCT.
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the national executive committee (NEC) deliberated extensively on the ongoing protests in higher education at the weekend .
“The NEC is disturbed by the interruption of the academic programme that has resulted from the wanton destruction of property, intimidation and violence.
“The recent announcement by Blade Nzimande, the minister of Higher Education, was welcomed as a significant step toward realising fee-free higher education for poor students.”
Universities across the country have been plunged into a state of paralysis since the announcement by Nzimande that tertiary institutions could hike their fees for 2017, but by not more than 8 percent.
The government also committed to paying the fee increases for next year on behalf of all poor, working-class and “missing middle” families – those with a household income of up to R600 000 per annum.
The move would require the government to fork out an additional R2.5 billion.
Mantashe said this was an unprecedented progressive intervention by the ANC government as only those who can afford to pay would pay the increased fees.
“The NEC agreed that, given that over 75 percent of students in universities and colleges will benefit, the government has moved a long way toward achieving fee-free higher education.
“We continue to support the principle that those who can afford to pay for higher education must continue to do so.”
He also called on students to return to lectures and continue with the academic programme, saying the violence and destruction of university infrastructure accompanying some of the current protests cannot be justified.
The Wits University management resolved that lectures would resume today after students overwhelmingly voted in support in an online poll.
“We cannot afford to lose more lives or continue to disrupt the academic Mantashe said.
“We call on all to respect the rights of those students who wish to resume their studies and to identify those who destroy public property.” programme,”