South African Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande Summoned to Parliament Over Fee Protests
Oct 21, 2015
RDM News Wire, News24
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has been “summoned to Parliament to account for the funding crisis at universities” in a week’s time.
The Democratic Alliance said on Wednesday that the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education had agreed to its request to have Nzimande appear before it and set October 28 as the date.
“It is clear that there is not enough money allocated to both students – through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme - and to universities in the form of government subsidies‚” the DA said in a statement.
“This is at the heart of the protests across South African universities today.
“The blame must be placed firmly at the door of the African National Congress government and minister Nzimande for this failure to prioritise funding for young South Africans.”
The statement mentioned that it had also requested the Treasury to be summoned to Parliament‚ but did not indicate whether this was acceded to.
The statement came as universities across the country closed on Wednesday following a call from the South African Students Congress for a “national shutdown” of tertiary institutions to protest high tuition and other fees.
Members of the Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (DASO) gathered outside the department of higher education's offices in Pretoria on Wednesday in solidarity with protesting students around the country.
Dressed in their blue Democratic Alliance T-shirts, the group of about 50 danced, sang struggle songs and praised the party's leader, Mmusi Maimane.
The group also carried placards reading #BladeMustFall.
Two police vehicles were present at the building and a few police officers monitored the situation.
The demonstrators kept to the pavement and there were no disruptions to traffic.
The demonstrators were expecting to be addressed by DA MP Yusuf Cassim and DASO Student Representative Council presidents from the University of Pretoria, Kwena Moloto, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Hlomela Bucwa, and University of Fort Hare, Busisiwe Mashiqa.
University students across the country protested against tuition fee increases on Wednesday.
The South African Students Congress called on all students to embark on a nationwide mass action against fee increments until their demands were met.
The protest began last week Wednesday, with students from the University of the Witwatersrand protesting against a proposed 10.5% fee hike for 2016. Other institutions joined in the protests this week.
On Tuesday afternoon, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande announced that vice chancellors from various universities had agreed to cap their fee hikes at 6% for 2016. Students, however, remain adamant that there should be no increase at all.
RDM News Wire, News24
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has been “summoned to Parliament to account for the funding crisis at universities” in a week’s time.
The Democratic Alliance said on Wednesday that the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education had agreed to its request to have Nzimande appear before it and set October 28 as the date.
“It is clear that there is not enough money allocated to both students – through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme - and to universities in the form of government subsidies‚” the DA said in a statement.
“This is at the heart of the protests across South African universities today.
“The blame must be placed firmly at the door of the African National Congress government and minister Nzimande for this failure to prioritise funding for young South Africans.”
The statement mentioned that it had also requested the Treasury to be summoned to Parliament‚ but did not indicate whether this was acceded to.
The statement came as universities across the country closed on Wednesday following a call from the South African Students Congress for a “national shutdown” of tertiary institutions to protest high tuition and other fees.
Members of the Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (DASO) gathered outside the department of higher education's offices in Pretoria on Wednesday in solidarity with protesting students around the country.
Dressed in their blue Democratic Alliance T-shirts, the group of about 50 danced, sang struggle songs and praised the party's leader, Mmusi Maimane.
The group also carried placards reading #BladeMustFall.
Two police vehicles were present at the building and a few police officers monitored the situation.
The demonstrators kept to the pavement and there were no disruptions to traffic.
The demonstrators were expecting to be addressed by DA MP Yusuf Cassim and DASO Student Representative Council presidents from the University of Pretoria, Kwena Moloto, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Hlomela Bucwa, and University of Fort Hare, Busisiwe Mashiqa.
University students across the country protested against tuition fee increases on Wednesday.
The South African Students Congress called on all students to embark on a nationwide mass action against fee increments until their demands were met.
The protest began last week Wednesday, with students from the University of the Witwatersrand protesting against a proposed 10.5% fee hike for 2016. Other institutions joined in the protests this week.
On Tuesday afternoon, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande announced that vice chancellors from various universities had agreed to cap their fee hikes at 6% for 2016. Students, however, remain adamant that there should be no increase at all.
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