GEORGE NEWS - Calm prevailed at the NMMU George Campus this week as students returned to class after President Jacob Zuma met the nationwide #FeesMustFall campaign on Friday 23 October.
Alet van Tonder, manager of marketing and corporate relations at NMMU George Campus, confirmed that the campus is returning to normal and that George Campus received a directive from Port Elizabeth Campus on Tuesday 27 October, which will be discussed with the students. "We are part of the larger NMMU family and can't act in isolation," she said.
The short-lived peaceful NMMU George Campus #FeesMustFall protest started on Wednesday 21 October when students handed a memorandum of grievances to Campus Principal Prof Quinton Johnson. Johnson said the students have legitimate concerns regarding costs.
"Management wants to work with the students so that they have access and success within the university. I have a genuine admiration for the disciplined and peaceful manner in which George's Madibaz have expressed their concerns." The memorandum was forwarded to NMMU Vice-Chancellor Derrick Swarts in Port Elizabeth.
Two taxis left George on Thursday 22 October to join the NMMU mass meeting that was scheduled to be held at the Madibaz Stadium in Port Elizabeth in which Swarts would address the demands of the students. The mass meeting went ahead without Swarts due to a last minute venue change that was not part of the original agreement.
The next day, Friday 23 October, 120 students from the South African Students' Congress (Sasco) and the Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (Daso) demonstrated peacefully at the NMMU George Campus' main entrance, blocking access to the campus. At lunchtime the students returned to their residences to listen to the highly anticipated national address by the president.
Directly after President Zuma's address, George Campus returned to normal and Isaac Shai, chairman of the SRC at the George Campus, said, "On Monday we will be back in class. Now we are going back to our rooms to celebrate the students' victory. The protest is over."
Sinethemba Godla, chairman of Daso at NMMU George Campus, said the announcement by President Jacob Zuma is a victory for all students. "We stood together and we won. I want to thank the president for listening."
Mayor on #FeesMustFall
In his mayoral address, George Mayor Charles Standers called on the national minister of higher education and National Government to work towards addressing and solving the fees issue on a sustainable level.
"Quality education is the key to improved quality of life," said Standers. "The Fees Must Fall campaign that started last week is not only a historic event in higher education since 1994, but also served as a wake-up call to be more proactive than reactive."
Standers said the announcement of a 0% increase in tertiary fees for 2016 is welcomed, but added that it will only provide short-term relief.
Other councillors added their voices to this emotive subject, in their reply to Standers's address.
"They can take away many things, but they can't take away your education," said Rosina Lombaard, of Icosa. Wilbur Harris, of Cope, commented that the protest action is a "new form of class war" that is taking place.
"We condemn the violence, but we stand behind the students," said Virgill Gericke, of the PBI. (Michelle Pienaar)
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NMMU George Campus students were collected from the campus and their homes at 05:45 for the trip to Port Elizabeth on Thursday 22 October. Front from left are: Nolufefe Ruiters and Nandipha September. Back: Jason Pietersen, Ambrey Jacobs, Siyamthanda Booi, Sinethemba Godla, Rachélle Jaftha, Mosuoenyane Moshoejhoe and Lonwabo Nogilana. Photos: Myron Rabinowitz
The entrance to NMMU George Campus was temporarily blocked by protesting students on Friday 23 October. Photos: Myron Rabinowitz
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD - JOURNALIST
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