ANCYL writes open letter to Nzimande over fees

Nzimande has been gathering further views and suggestions from all stakeholders, including students and university councils, after he received the report of the Council on Higher Education on their recommendation for 2017 fee adjustments in August.

Here is the letter written to Nzimande by ANCYL Secretary General Njabulo Nzuza:

Revolutionary Greetings.

I hope this letter finds you well,

I have taken a decision to write you this open letter, because I can see that all the private discussions we have had around free education for the poor and 0% fee are not bearing fruits. The situation is dire, institutions are burning with terror and violence is used against students on campuses. Some campuses are being shut down.

I have no interest in writing you a long letter but to request you to address the following as a matter of urgency;

• Urgently implement the decision of 0% fee increment as resolution of the last NEC meeting of the ANC. Any form of increment against poor students and "the missing middle" is not acceptable and should not be considered or talked about.

• Reduce your meetings with Vice Chancellors because, instead of transforming the system they will transform you to accept the system they have built which is abusive to students. You must spend more time with students who are the endusers of higher education.

• Please refrain and avoid sending messages of doubt about the policy of the ANC on free quality education for the poor. The implementation of free quality education for the poor is not an issue that is up for discussion but for implementation with speed.
  

I hope you will come to the realization that the issues raised are critical. I really do not expect a letter explaining the process but one would expect that the issues raised will be resolved speedily. We can no longer accept tortoise velocity in dealing with these issues.

Comradely Yours

NJABULO B NZUZA

SECRETARY GENERAL (ANC Youth League)