ICYMI: SAUS releases a memorandum of demands to Higher Education Minister

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The South African Union of Students handed the memorandum of demands to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande. Image/ Facebook
The South African Union of Students handed the memorandum of demands to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande. Image/ Facebook

The statement from the South African Union of Students (SAUS) issued 16 January 2020, reads as follows: 

"We are giving the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Dr Bonginkosi Blade Nzimande seven working days to respond to the following list of demands;

1. Allocation of debt relief fund for clearance of student debts and all students with historical debts must be allowed to register.

2. Students must be given their academic records and certificates despite them owing universities.

3. Post-graduate students and B-Techs must be allowed to register. We are demanding postgraduate funding.

4. Correct accreditation process for private accommodation.

5. Free registration for vulnerable, poor and missing middle students.

6. Reopening of NSFAS applications for new students and walk inns.

7. We demand revision of DHET bursary guidelines to include submissions made by SRC Presidents last year especially on off-campus students allowances and free sanitary towels for womxn students.

8. Increase of enrollment quotas amidst the high pass matric rate of 83.1 %.

9. A clear implementation plan for student Mental health, safety and security in campuses.

10. We demand the inclusion of UNISA in all allowances.

11. DHET must address the shortage of student accommodation, decaying infrastructure for teaching and learning.

12. Expedite the NSFAS appeals process and elimination of n+1 and reinstatement of n+2 rule.

13. Food security for hungry poor students who are unfunded.

14. Improving the central application process and redesign the CACH to avoid excluding students.

15. Fees must fall in all universities that increased fees without consultation with the SRC.

We are ready for anything if the above demands are not attended as a matter of urgency."

This statement was issued by the South African Union of Students on 16 January 2020