Mthashana College has till Wednesday to respond to student protesters’ memorandum
"While some of the students have received their money, some of us have not. We want to know why. What is going on?"
LAST Friday’s cold and wet weather could not put a damper on the frustrations of students from Mthashana College, as they marched upon the Mthashana College offices on South Street in protest.
Vryheid SAPS spokesperson, Captain Cheryl Venter confirmed on Friday morning, that there were roughly 100 protesters preparing to march in the vicinity of the Cecil Emmett grounds, angered by what they feel to be misadministration by college management, demanding feedback regarding funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
“We are frustrated,” said student, Thabiso Ngwane, who took part in the protest. “While some of the students have received their money, some of us have not. We want to know why. What is going on?”
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According to a witness at the Mtashana College office in South Street, police arrived at the scene and took control of the situation. The protesters dispersed once a memorandum had been handed to college management, who have been given seven academic days to respond to the students’ demands.
According to Student Support Manager at Mtashana College, Mr Trevor Nkosi, senior management received the memorandum and is currently looking into a way to resolve the matter. However, Mr Nkosi also stated that, following a series of meetings with the SRC prior to the march, the list of students who had not received their 2017 allowances was being looked into and would be released on March 13. The students would be addressed on Thursday in regard to this matter.
By Wednesday, according to Mr Nkosi, the college management had learned that the students had already planned a march, despite the college’s assurance that they would be given feedback on Thursday.
“The students were given feedback on Thursday,” states Mr Nkosi. “The list of students who did not receive their 2017 allowances, which is the main issue here, was addressed. There are a number of individual reasons why this happened,” he adds. “Some did not apply, some did apply but did not claim… there are a number of issues in this regard. We will respond to that and then take it forward from there…”
