Universities should refrain from using violent means of preventing students from protesting. In fact, if it were not for the passive, browbeaten and reatreating Southern African students; we would likely have seen fatalities in these institutions.I mean if student would retaliate with similar or even excessive violence, that would harm the security, university and even the state for a long time. Unlike many institutions of higher learning in Africa and abroad those from the Southern African region have preferred dialogue and peaceful demonstrations even when confronted with intimidation, violence, targeted arrests and patronage. These public institutions should reappraise the loathsome decisions that have become conventional. They have to unlearn arrogance and begin to give reasonable consideration to dissent especially if they want to continue claiming African Identity and representation of the previously excluded majority. It is neither unanticipated nor completely lamantable to see a protest on financial exclusion in Umtata. Actually given the 11 universities that were on standstill in January, it was and still likely that other Institutitons of Higher learning will follow suit. Indeed even parents have instead of being shocked and crying for their source of hope whom are shot at by police and private security decided to anticipate their hopeless return. These children have been returning home sadly irrespective of their levels of study. While some for instance, have never gained access, others have only been given one year after passing they get excluded. The increasing number of the adversely affected are not disappearing to some alien planets. They remain part of the broader society and as a consequence, multiply dissent in the blue collar/unskilled jobs and service delivery protests. Therefore Universities have a responsibility to work with students in finding solutions that will reduce all these types of exclusions. I borrow from Albert Einstein when he cautioned that blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth.”
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:12:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015