Port Elizabeth – Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Student Representative Council (SRC) has called for free registration for all financially needy and academically deserving students, the body said on Wednesday.
SRC President, Xabiso Nyati, said that the SRC would visit student residences and engage with students on its position, in solidarity with other universities that were currently staging protests across the country.
The #feesmustfall protests restarted on Monday when some universities prepared for registration for the 2016 academic year.
According to reports, registration at the University of Witwatersrand was disrupted when protesting students demanded that registration fees be cancelled.
“We are pleading with the Minister to do his job and make this a reality for these young South Africans. We want to study and be afforded the opportunity to better the lives of our families, however we are continuously and systematically turned into ‘rebellious’ protestors because the government is simply not doing enough,” Nyati said in a statement.
The NMMU SRC called for the Ministry of Higher Education and National Treasury to fund free registration. A petition and memorandum is expected to be delivered to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande on Thursday.
“We are challenging the government, the Minister and Vice-Chancellors to follow the lead of NMMU. We Are further calling for the broader community of Nelson Mandela Bay to sign this petition and pledge solidarity with our brothers and sisters” Nyati said.
Nyati added that the African National Congress government should be held accountable and that protests were a reflection of its failure.
“Students have put their political differences aside and stood together in a fight to realise true freedom, fairness and opportunity.”
The SRC further called on students to unite in the fight for free registration and pleaded with government for “free fee higher education” for financially needy and academically deserving students.
African News Agency
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