Cosas to meet with ANC executives over demands
JOHANNESBURG – Marchers demanded for the release and amnesty for all arrested during the Fees Must Fees Must Fall protest.
The Congress of South African Students (Cosas) is set to meet with the executive committee of the ANC and the Minister of Basic Education to pave a way forward following a march to Luthuli House recently.
Johannesburg city-centre traffic came to a standstill on 8 April when thousands of learners and members of student bodies participated in the Cosas march to Luthuli House.
President general of Cosas John Macheke said the march follows after the student body delivered a memorandum last year October demanding among other things, that activists arrested during the Fees Must Fall protest be released and be granted amnesty. Furthermore, it was demanded that government bans educators found guilty for sexual assault from the teaching profession. They also demanded that security guards be provided at schools and the fight against drugs be intensified.
“It would not mean anything for the rest of us to have and enjoy free education while about 50 young activists are still detained in jail or attending court cases,” said Macheke.
“We want them released and their charges withdrawn because they were fighting for a good cause. If the police cannot arrest and remove drug dealers from our communities even with information provided to them, we will go out to the streets as young people and uproot them ourselves.
“We are even prepared to work with the police because these drugs are killing the youth.”
While the thousands of learners filled the streets instead of classes on a Monday, one of the demands was for the transformation of the syllabus especially with the history subject. The marchers demanded that the Department of Education involve the South African black history as part of the subject.
“It is crucial that young people learn about the black history and about South Africa and its riches including its minerals,” added Macheke.
ANC secretary general Ace Magashule said the party was looking at the demands made by Cosas. “The ANC commits and will address all the demands raised so that you don’t have to leave classes to make your demands in future.”
Magashule also encouraged the marchers to make demands as they were genuine and legitimate.
Macheke said they expect to be provided with plans by the minister and the ANC to tackle the raised issues on a meeting scheduled to take place this month.
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