Experiencing history in the making – “Fees must fall movement”

Fees must fall movement - The biggest student movement since democratic South Africa. It was an amazing experience to be in the midst of this movement. Students across the province and South Africa were protesting the rise in fees and the lack of priority for higher education in relation to other budget items.

Wits University in Johannesburg announced its fee hikes for tuition for 2016, and the 10.3% increase. This started the ball rolling all across South Africa! The students at Wits began and led the protest, which led to many universities protesting over the last couple of weeks. Its final exam time, and instead of studying for exams, they were taking their voices to the university administration, the streets, and to parliament.

Looks like a normal day when we pulled up outside the security gates of University of Limpopo. Even the cows were calm and relaxed.

 However, once we went through the security gates, we realized it was no normal day!

University of Limpopo students agreed not to strike over fees because the University wasn’t increasing them; however, when we arrived on campus on Tuesday to hundreds of students mulling around campus instead of taking exams, we knew something was happening. To show solidarity, University of Limpopo students protested taking the exams.

At first peacefully, and then stormed the buildings to ensure no students were inside taking exams. Once they were assured no exams were taking place, they then combed the buildings for professors and administrators and made them leave all the buildings to shut down the university.

This is the huge rock just inside the security gates. A great viewing area for students to see what was happening.









We were locked in an area where are conference room was located, so the students weren't able to get into our area to force us to leave. Needless to say, we weren't allowed back to campus for the rest of the last week. Hopefully this week, we can get back on campus.

 

 Off campus, life goes on as usual and all is "normal".

 Kids are being kids after school - just outside the University

People selling their fresh fruits along the roadside in home made stands.

Let's see what this week brings - next up, pictures from the fun we had over the weekend - safari, biking through Polokwane Game Reserve, and Zip Lining!