Cape Town - University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Dr Max Price on Thursday said he and the university supported the national #FeesMustFall movement.
“I am proud of my students and I am proud of my son,” said Price.
“If I could have, I would have joined the protests yesterday (on Wednesday).”
undefinedPrice, who recently returned from a Brics summit in China, met with media after protest action had broken out across South Africa this week, culminating in the arrests of 29 students and activists who stormed Parliament on Wednesday.
The media briefing took place at the Sports Science Institute in Newlands presumably because students continued to barricade entrances to UCT.
Price’s son, Ilan, was one of those arrested and despite some on social media saying it must be “awkward in the Price household”, the vice chancellor stated his support.
He also commented on what happened when he found out Ilian had been arrested.
“Well his battery died so I only got to talk to him once he was released,” said Price.
“But he is fine.”
Price also commented on the arrests of Ilan’s fellow protesters saying the university supported them and would assist as best they could.
The 29 students appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Thursday where they were charged with illegal gathering, trespassing and public violence.
The students were released and warned to appear in court again on February 23, 2016.
The sons of struggle stalwart Reverend Frank Chikane and Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba, as well as Rhodes Must Fall movement leader Chumani Maxwele and activist organisation Black First Land First’s Lindsay Maasdorp were also among the students arrested outside Parliament on Wednesday.
Early on Thursday the reverend tweeted: “Kgotsi's mother (Kagiso Chikane) & his brother (Obi) on board a flight 2 CT to lend support 2 Kgotsi & his colleagues!”
ANA