Student rioting impinges on rights of others
WHATEVER one might think of our university students’ demands for “transformation”, few would argue against their right to protest in a democratic state.
However, the wanton destruction recently seen on campuses infringes on the rights of others, who remember only the means rather than the message.
Our universities should be repositories of rational thinking and debate, but students have chosen the path of violence and mayhem instead. We deserve better from the intellectual elite.
Various reasons have been proffered for this state of affairs. I wish to share a few thoughts.
Despite scoring matric symbols which qualify them for tertiary studies, many pupils lack the ability and the discipline to cope with the rigours of university courses. Thus an attitude of “If I cannot succeed in my studies, then no one else should” prevails. It would be interesting to see the academic results of those who participate in the wilful damage of property on our campuses.
In my view, the seeds of vandalism and defiance of authority are sown early – at schools. Those in touch with teachers will have heard of perpetrators not only in high schools, but also in primary schools. Compounding the problem is the perception that parents neither have the capability nor the will to assist in the rehabilitation of these recalcitrant pupils. Indeed, in some instances, they have rather come out in support of them against the teachers.
The role models presented by some of our leaders and ordinary citizens provide little help. One only has to witness the shenanigans of those in Parliament, the unions and some communities to conclude that those who shout the loudest, those who have the ability to mouth empty rhetoric, and those who wreak the most havoc appear to be the ones who hold sway.
To impressionable minds, these are the examples to be emulated, the characteristics that have to be demonstrated by the strong and powerful. Add to this the perception that violence and mayhem are the only ways to get the powers that be to respond, and you have the reason students would choose this way rather than reason and debate.
This is a time for strong leadership on all fronts, from parents to politicians. It is a time for a leadership that is not afraid to demonstrate, unequivocally, what behaviour is acceptable and what is not, in a democratic state.
RAJ ISAAC Newlands West