Fort Hare students protest over registration and living conditions

Students at the University of Fort Hare’s (UFH) Alice campus are protesting for a second day as frustrations grow over registration, accommodation and allowance issues. On Monday students gathered in large numbers carrying placards listing their demands, including: The protest was led by the Young Brightest Motivated Minds (YBMM) Alice campus branch, which rejected the university’s academic opening, saying students are facing serious challenges. “The YBMM rejects the academic opening,” said the organisation, adding this followed “an intensive analysis of the state of the university and its conduct of the registration”.

The group said it can not “stand aside and allow students to fall victim to inequality and oppression” and has called on students to join demonstrations to submit a memorandum of demands to management. The shutdown continues until the vice-chancellor comes down to formally receive the memorandum of demands and all outstanding demands are fully met Students have also complained about the conditions of residences, citing: On Monday the university confirmed the academic opening ceremony scheduled for February 9 had been cancelled. “The academic opening of the year ceremony has been cancelled due to disruption,” said registrar N Zuma.

He added that “university operations and lectures commence at noon”. On Tuesday YBMM confirmed that one of its key demands had been partially met. The organisation said the book allowance has now been loaded to qualifying students.

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“We commend this achievement as proof that unity and struggle yield results,” it said. However, YBMM said the shutdown would continue: “Students are further informed that the shutdown continues until the vice-chancellor comes down to formally receive the memorandum of demands and all outstanding demands are fully met.”

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