The #FeesMustFall campaign, and all that the movement stands for, has sparked a fire that can only be quenched by a call to equality... in all forms. As a country, the road to equality, economic freedom and a non-racial South Africa looks vague as these cries fall on deaf ears. This movement is based on empowerment and equal opportunity for all South Africans, giving the layman an opportunity to better him/herself and ultimately his/her community.
This takes me back to a conversation I overheard in a taxi between a woman in her early fifties and a man almost half her age. The woman highlighted two distinct ideas, the first was the high cost of her daughter's university fees, that she is currently failing to pay. The second idea was the 'illusion' of democracy and how things have not really changed that much. As I got off the taxi, I realised that a relationship must exist between economic freedom and equality...
As much as education is a national agenda, the lack of university funding affects mostly black people, the majority race in South Africa. The widening of the gap between the rich and the poor leaves black people at a disadvantage because no plans are being made to redress the wrongs of our past. The majority of our workforce cannot afford to put their children through university due to being too poor to pay for fees and too rich for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.. It is sad to see academically excellent students having to drop out of school due to financial constraints in this day and time.
Social media has played an important role since the inception of this movement, it displayed both positive and negative views and perceptions. A word that came up a lot in the online discussions was the word 'privilege', which made some racial suggestions which i shall refrain from including due to the academic relevance of this blog.
As much as the fees were frozen for 2016, the government should look towards implementing new methods on handling the #feesmustfall campaign because the time for temporary solutions should come to an end. The youth of South Africa has a voice that needs to be taken seriously. The fight for free education is a fight worth fighting for, simply based on the premise that we are tomorrow's parents and we shall not be subjected to high tuition fees.
For more information, click on the links below:
www.mg.co.za/article/2016-01-20-fees-are-just-the-start-of-things
Well Mr Buthelezi this was a beautiful read. I mist say #FeesMustFall was one of thebest and biggest campaigns to happen in a very long time, as you said, it is said to see academically excellent students having to drop out of school because of funds. A plan should be made for those who cant afford, a plan should be made for everyone!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the feedback Ms. Mocumi.
ReplyDeleteEquality is still a thought in the mist. Economic freedom is something that can't happen now, our parents and us are financially enslaved by debt accumulated because we desire better things in life. Eg: we take out study loans that need to be paid back once you start working, meaning you are in debt even before you start working. Then we pay black tax, I don't know of any black person that will watch family suffer. This means we cannot progress until we pay our dues.
ReplyDeleteIt is a serious matter because not everyone can afford to pay tertiary fees,and those who are disadvantaged feel like they are being sidelined from trying to pursue their dreams.
ReplyDeleteit is sad that most black students are in debts way before we even start working. I doubt the government will implement new methods to handle this matter. our economical state is bad already so this country still have a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteI find it sickening that I too had to drop out but still need to pay banks and the institutions giants of amounts for a qualification that can't be mine. They are busy coming up with temporary solutions to try and derail us from what we are entitled to. They are out here procrastinating our freedom to flourish. Thank you for this
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