Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana adds his voice to the call for the removal of Rhodes
The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana will pledge his solidarity with the students of the University of Cape Town by attending a night vigil scheduled to take place on 7 April 2015, the eve of the Council Meeting which is expected to take a decision in relation to the call by students who have been advocating for the removal of the statue of Cecil John Rhodes from the university precinct.
This move by students of all racial groups at the University of Cape Town has once again necessitated an honest and robust debate on transformation of institutions of higher learning in South Africa, especially those institutions that were not designated as Historically Disadvantaged Institutions.
The debate about symbols, such statues and names is necessary to ensure that we reshape our past and continue to restore the dignity of the majority who were oppressed by apartheid rule. It is therefore crucial for our students to drive the process of ensuring that the transformation agenda in our institutions is prioritised. The transformation agenda should not only be limited to the removal of apartheid statues and renaming of buildings, it should also include re-engineering and reconfiguration of the demographic composition of staff and student bodies as well as ensuring that the curriculum reflects South Africa’s development and cultural needs.
The Deputy Minister is pleased to note the Unity of Purpose amongst various racial groups who have mobilised themselves to be agents of change in the University of Cape Town and not only wait for government to fast track the transformation agenda for them whilst they bear the brunt of various challenges caused by lack of transformation. “It can only be the partnership between government and all role-players that can speed up the pace of transformation that we envision in our universities”, he said.
The Deputy Minister will therefore participate in the non-aligned and apolitical night vigil with students of the university to show the government’s commitment to all the imperatives of transformation as outlined in the White Paper for Post School Education and Training.
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