#Fees Must Fall: here’s an idea that could work

The aforesaid student campaign got off the ground towards the end of 2015. About the same time in 2016, it has been intensified by militant activities on various campuses countrywide. My understanding of the student campaign dubbed #Fees Must Fall is that there must be no payment of fees whatsoever in the institutions of higher learning. Explicitly speaking, quality, decolonised tertiary education must be for all, for free. This particular demand is genuine and legitimate. The non-payment must include tuition fee, accommodation or residence, study material, registration fee, catering and other related support systems. The state loan in the form of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) isn't free education but rather a burden upon the potential loanee with exorbitant interest and is refundable upon completion of their respective studies.

Having set that stage, I strongly believe that fee-free tertiary education is feasible and possible in this country. And moreover, the man who carries the public purse stated it categorically that, free tertiary education was and still is feasible. In a nutshell funding to finance or implement it could be made available. However, the only challenge is the absence or lack of political will on the part of the powers-that-be. Indeed, this is the serious challenge this country is confronted with. There’s no leadership to rise to the occasion and provide leadership whenever a need arises.

The 2007 and 2012 ANC’s elective conferences resolved that there should be free higher education to a level of a junior degree. It’s unfortunate and regrettable that, when it comes to implementing that particular resolution, they are found wanting. The ANC-led government, instead of responding positively to the genuine demand of the children of this country, turned institutions of higher learning into military zones by deploying heavy police contingents.

Those police officers were alleged to have been heavyhanded. Scores of students were arrested and detained, accused of public violence and destruction of property. By the same token, I as an individual condemn the destruction of infrastructure in the strongest possible terms.

The Nzimandes of this world have come up with funny terminology, terming our children “missing middle”. According to them, that particular reference is to the children of professional and rich people. My counter argument is that, those children don’t own what their parents are claimed to have. On the contrary, higher education is a bread and butter issue. It’s an apex priority and must be accessible to all irrespective of family background.

The suggestions that in my opinion could remedy the situation are as follows:

Curb Corruption

Apply a firm hand on dubious and unscrupulous elements who are hell-bent on misappropriating and embezzling state resources;

Decisively deal with it (corruption) in whatever form it raises its ugly head;

Avoid wasteful and fruitless expenditure

Private sector

Must come to the party. This sector tends to benefit from products produced by respective institutions of higher learning

Stop exorbitant bonuses for the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in particular. The wage gap between these officials and junior employees remains too huge and thereby doesn’t address the high levels of social inequality in the country.

Tax the rich

In this way, the so-called “missing middle” could be catered for, for they happen to be offspring of this class of people

Cut salaries of the members of parliament (MPs)

Stop Nuclear Deal

The proposed nuclear deal is too costly. It will cost R1 trillion – money South Africa doesn’t even have

Last but not least, I don’t have any doubt that the abovementioned proposals, if they could be put into cognisance, would yield the desired results. Forward with quality, decolonised, tertiary education for all, for free. Forward!

Sebenzile Sankobe