Remove the kid gloves

THE WORDS of Nelson Mandela on the value of education fell on deaf ears this week as more than 200 students at the University of KwaZuluNatal continued their week-long, illegal, violent protest against financial aid, draft loans, bursary policy and funding for postgraduate students.

In our constitution it is enshrined that all South Africans have a right to education.

But those committed to their studies were denied this right as protesting students disrupted lectures, stoned vehicles and damaged university property.

In South Africa it appears that the culture of violence has become an accepted means of resolving problems. But is the perpetration of violence the solution to any problem?

The university authorities sought an urgent court interdict against the rampaging students.

But their criminal acts of damaging university property and preventing students from attending lectures should not go unpunished. It should be condemned in the strongest of terms.

Sadly, it’s a small group of irresponsible students who abhor peaceful negotiations that hijack higher learning for those committed to acquiring degrees and developing a career.

It is time to stop treating violent protest action on campuses with kid gloves.