Committee congratulates Fort Hare University on its centenary year, but condemns violence
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education joins all South Africans in congratulating the University of Fort Hare in its centenary year and acknowledges the role its many faculties and alumni played in educating and uniting African students. At a time when the apartheid government was preparing to pass laws for separate university education for Africans, the acting Principal of Fort Hare, Professor ZK Matthews, who was also a past student, addressed the College Assembly at the start of the academic year in 1956 and said:
“Indeed it seems necessary to remind all students, old and new, about the things for which a College stands and the things for which it does not stand. A university is a community of men and women who are joined together in a common pursuit of knowledge. If it is to be successful, the pursuit of knowledge demands a degree of application and diligence which requires a considerable measure of self-discipline.”
Students must be reminded that a university does not stand for expressing anger or disagreement through violence, destroying infrastructure or any other criminal acts of vandalism. The destruction of property and violence at Fort Hare and all other institutions of higher learning demonstrates a complete lack of discipline and must be condemned in the strongest terms. Both university management and students are addressing these matters and they are a work in progress. This process must be honoured and supported in order to find a solution especially matters relating to National Student Finance Assistance Scheme.
The Portfolio Committee notes that students are represented on governance structures, but calls for the strengthening of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms at universities to facilitate dialogue and a peaceful resolution to student concerns.
The Centenary Year of Fort Hare should not be undermined and overshadowed by a few. Where there are legitimate challenges facing students, the legacy of Fort Hare should be honoured by addressing the challenges through critical debate and the pursuit of academic excellence.
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Sibongile Maputi (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
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E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
