At
this important moment in our country's evolution, when young South Africans have
once again been forced to put their lives on the line in the precincts of the
people’s house – the National Assembly - to maintain critical access to
education, the signatories to this statement wish to make clear our strongest
support for the #FeesMustFall and #NationalShutDown campaign sweeping
across university campuses and South Africa.
Far
too many will dismiss the campaigns and the scenes outside Parliament as
unacceptable student behaviour without fully appreciating the underlying issues
the movement represents.
The
real issue confronting South Africa is that we live in the most unequal society
and yet we treat education – the great leveller - as a privilege for the
few.
Our
young students, denied of a hearing, of kept promises, of leadership, and
without a clear path out of marginalisation as education is put further away
from them, are now forced to risk life and limb for a basic constitutional
right, a right that could help the nation become what we want it to be. Denying
them an education by increasing fees without concurrently implementing a viable
solution is to deny the country its richest resource – a skilled and educated
population.
We
stand in solidarity and express our support to the students across the country
in their struggle to access the right to quality education in transformed
higher education institutions.
We
support student contestation around the cost of study but we are aware of the
many competing and all equally urgent needs (and some comprehensive responses
already in place to respond to them such as free basic education, free health
care and the largest public HIV/AIDS programme in the world, pensions to senior
citizens, disability and child grants, to mention just a few.
Accordingly,
in order to meaningful confront this issue, we call on the development of a new
funding model and substantially more civic and citizen involvement to ensure that
fees are more affordable and thus allow access to higher education. We will also seek to contribute to this
important discussion and lead with young South Africans to confront these
issues honestly and openly.
In
addition, we strongly condemn the excessive force used by the South
African Police Services as well as by private security firms against what has
in large been a demonstration by unarmed and peaceful young students who are
calling for change. We note the accusations that have arisen that police are
directing excessive force at black students and in some instances, none at
white students. The Apartheid-style
tactics and brutality exacted on students cannot be permitted to continue. We
urge the authorities to carefully investigate these claims.
Education
should never be a privilege. Education
is a basic right afforded to all South Africans by our Constitution. Too many South Africans are locked out of the
system because it has become unaffordable. Education is a public service and it should be
subsidised to allow access and affordability. If we fix the system our nation will
enjoy added opportunity and improved socio-economic conditions as our
young will be better able to compete in a globalised environment.
Issued and signed by:
Andrew
Ihsaan Gasnolar, Khanyi Magubane, Buhle Mabaso, Rethabile Mashale-Sonibare,
Christopher Vuba, Mpho Majenge, Mhlanganisi Madlongolwana, Kgomotso Tabane,
INkosi Sbonelo N. Mkhize, Amukelani Mayimele, Noluthando Duma, Lebohang
Selloane, Nhlamulo Mabasa, Shane Vermooten, Khayakazi Namfu, Amy Shelver,
Lynette Ntuli, Faith Mangope, Yossi Hasson, Murendi Mafuno, Makuya Lalumbe,
Russell Xitshembhiso Mulamula, Justin Beswick, Ryno Alsander De Water, Cathy Mohlahlana,
Zibu Mthiyane, Pearl Pillay, Lebogang Mokwena, Bongi Ndakisa, Gillion Bosman, Andile
Biyela, Sam Beckbessinger, Nangamso Koza, Mbali Ntuli, Paul Galatis, Danielle
Manuel, Mabutho Mthembu, Sara Hallatt, Peter Malatji.
