• Thabile Mange writes:
At the beginning of the year, the Minister of Higher Education and Training instructed Unisa to cut the number of first-year students by 20 000. The students took the matter to court and won the case.
If students didn’t take the matter to court, what would have happened to the 20 000 potential students? They would have stayed at home for the whole year. And there is no guarantee that they would get space next year.
In February 2021, the Minister of Finance delivered his budget speech. In his speech, the minister cut the NSFAS funding without providing an alternative. That’s arrogance. Interestingly, the cabinet approved his budget.
Last week, Wits students revolted against the minister cutting the NSFAS funding. During the protest, an innocent soul, who was not part of the protest, was shot dead by the police in Braamfontein. May his precious soul rest in peace.
Interestingly, the same day that the police killed an innocent person, the same cabinet approved more funds to the NSFAS. So, it took the Wits students to revolt and the life of an innocent person for the cabinet to do the right thing.
What a caring government!
The truth is: government has no money. However, the money was stolen by members of the ruling party. And those who have stolen money are going on with their lives as if nothing has happened. Some are in parliament. So, why should the students pay for the sin of government?
The ANC government has promised free education and is reneging on its promise. It’s time the nation hold the government to account. Or vote it out. We can’t have the same problem every year as if we are mad.
