UKZN invites students to discuss grievances

SIHLE MLAMBO

 
Durban - In a bid to end the student protests that have rocked the University of KwaZulu-Natal, management has invited five students to present their grievances before its council next Monday.The university said the students would represent the student community in addition to the SRC president and secretary-general, who are permanent members of the council.The announcement was made on Friday by vice-chancellor, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, at a press conference at the university. The students will be appointed by the SRC.But with students asked by e-mail to voluntarily leave the university residences on Friday, it is unclear how the selection of students will be done.
 
There have been suggestions that the local campus SRC presidents would each represent each of the university campuses.The university is also in possession of a court order that prevents students engaging in disruptive gatherings and mass action.Several UKZN students who spoke to the Daily News at the weekend said they had not been informed by the university about the decision to allow additional students to make a presentation to council.Two SRC leaders said they were also uncertain how they would select the five students.Pietermaritzburg SRC president, Siphelele Nguse, said they would meet the central SRC this week to finalise plans.“It would assist us if we took students from the student community, but how do you choose who goes? Five is a very small number. We do not doubt the students’ capabilities, but we need to prepare and have a good representation,” he said.Nguse said it had been suggested that the local SRC presidents of the five campuses form the delegation of five.“It’s a complicated matter,” he said. “You see, it is also difficult because we need to address students about this, but many have gone home and there is the court order as well which poses a challenge.”Philani Ntshobeni, secretary-general of the Westville SRC, said each campus would be represented by its president. Central SRC president, Senzo Ngidi, could not be reached for comment.
 
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