The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has noted the total shut down across universities in South Africa. Ongoing student’s mass action carry a potential to impact negatively on the academic year. Nevertheless, we stand by the students for their demands remain genuine and reasonable. The continued attacks on students by private security personnel undermine the foundations of basic human rights and the right to protest.
According to Executive Chairperson of the NYDA, Mr Sifiso Mtsweni “Students must unite during this period and engage in meaningful responsible action without any damage to property. They must also take extra effort to advance their academic progress.”
It is disheartening that students must every year engage in a protest action for their demands to be realised. We are hopeful that the Ministry of Higher Education will provide the necessary solutions as envisaged. However, there is no excuse for failure to implement free education. Critically, the issue of student accommodation leaves much to be desired with dilapidated buildings and students having to struggle.
”We call on all stakeholders to place the lack of housing and state of student accommodation at the top of their agenda and bring a speedy resolution; it cannot be business as usual if the agenda for a free quality public higher education system as declared by our government is continually postponed,” said Mtsweni
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