JOHANNESBURG – A general assembly aimed at addressing the funding crisis at Wits University will be held at the campus today with management, parents, students, workers and religious leaders expected to attend.
Yesterday, students and workers were locked in talks compiling a list of internal demands to present at today’s meeting.
The university suspended classes earlier this week following several violent confrontations between students and police.
The role of the assembly is to find a consensus on the issues raised.
Today’s extraordinary meeting at the university will have a sharp focus on free, quality tertiary education and will also try to address internal issues raised by students.
Incoming SRC president Kefentse Mkhari says they hope the university will join in their fight today.
“We’re saying that the university, if it’s in support of us, it will send the emails to the lecturers and tell them that they must come and join us during the picket.”
Meanwhile, Wits University vice-chancellor Adam Habib says the university will also announced its stance on the matter.
“Obviously this university pledges something, the mediators are discussing with the students and I’m raising it with my council members.”
Mkhari says they want to make their message clear once and for all.
“We are not going to go back to class until we get free, quality and decolonised education. That’s the mandate we are going into that meeting with.”
Mkhari says they are not scared of returning to class but they want the university to join them in intensifying political pleasure.
“We want a guarantee that after passing, we will be able to register and we’ll be able to come back to school.”
#FeesMustFall protesters have made it clear they will continue with their demonstrations until government makes a commitment to deliver free tertiary education.
Today’s general assembly will be chaired by the chancellor of Wits University, former chief justice Dikgang Moseneke.
(Edited by Leeto M Khoza)