Students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal have listed their concerns at a panel discussion in Umhlanga last night. Hosted by East Coast Drive’s Phat Joe, the discussion focused on the state of tertiary education in the province and the recent incidents of violence at the varsity.
Representatives from the Central and Pietermaritzburg SRC’s, Student Services and the South African Student Congress as well as postgraduate students attended the event at Coastlands Umhlanga. The University of the KwaZulu-Natal declined the invitation to participate in the discussions.
Central SRC President, Senzo Ngidi, said students believe that fee increases are not the only way government can tackle the financial deficit at varsities. Ngidi told Phat Joe that government needs to work hard to find an alternative to fee increases. “Usually when universities raise their fees, they usually raise them by 10% to 12%. Where does this deficit come from? That deficit of R2 billion is not because of student debt. Why must students always be penalised?”
Based on projections, UKZN is among at least 16 of South Africa’s 26 universities expected to have deficits over the next financial year. According to Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande, a R3.97 billion loss will be incurred if a 0% increase is implemented for the coming year. Ngidi urged government to explore other methods in order to find an alternative to fee increases.
In reference to the recent violence on the institution’s Durban and Pietermaritzburg campuses, postgraduate student, Lukhona Mnguni, questioned the actions of protesting students. “How do you ensure you are in total control of the terrain?” he asked SRC representatives. “Protests create spaces for infiltration so how do you ensure the protest is not opportunistically taken advantage of? Secondly, how do you reprimand the students who justify violence and claim that the books that were burnt (during the recent protests) were colonial books?”
Students also voiced concern that the implementation of short-term solutions is encouraging the recurring protest action. Phat Joe shared some of the challenges he faced as a student and highlighted the danger of third forces influencing protests before encouraging all parties to engage in honest, proactive discussions when a delegation of five students will be sent by the SRC to present to a full university Council meeting on the 19th of September 2016.
