NMU not affected by strike
Everyone was waiting with bated breath on Monday for the national shutdown called for by the South African Union of Students (SAUS), but few universities were affected. The SAUS leadership wanted every public university to shut down till they received answers from the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande.
Milisa Piko, communications manager at Nelson Mandela University George Campus, said the campus was not affected by the call for a national shutdown.
"There are ongoing engagements between management and student leadership around issues or challenges that arise, with a view to address them to ensure a smooth transition into the academic year."
Registration is currently underway, with well over 8 000 institutionally returning students who have successfully enrolled. "This figure is set to increase as more students return and registration for first-year students opens on Wednesday 29 January," Piko added.
The shutdown was called over a number of matters, with 15 demands made to Nzimande on 16 January.
The demands include the following: that all students with historical debt must be allowed to register at all universities and that such debt must be written off;
that examination results, academic records and certificates will be issued to all students even if they owe money;
that the national research fund (NRF) automatically provides funding to postgraduates who have previously been NSFAS beneficiaries;
that the accreditation of student accommodation be revised to ensure that all deserving students receive places to stay;
free registration for all vulnerable, poor and “missing middle” students;
that Unisa be included in NSFAS allowances;
that a clear implementation plan be established for students' mental health, safety and security on campuses.
In a letter of response sent to SAUS on 26 January, Nzimande said the department has provided significant funding towards the eradication of historic debt for NSFASqualifying students.
"...Close to R1-billion in historic debt relief for NSFAS-qualifying students were announced in 2018 by former minister Pandor."
He also said that NSFAS students who carry debt from 2019 are allowed to register, provided they sign an acknowledgement of debt (AOD) at the institution to which they are returning.
Comment from SAUS is being awaited. Also read Sleepless nights at NMU on page 16.