Wits at a standstill as students strike over fees



A student strike over the high cost of tertiary education disrupted access to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and divided attention on social media. Traffic around the campus was at a standstill as most gates to it remained locked on Wednesday morning.Queen Doro Boss ‏@MissMadiba tweeted: Current situation at Wits. No cars can come in or out!! #WitsFeesMustFall#WitsFeespic.twitter.com/k0h5PtuREO — Queen Doro Boss (@MissMadiba) October 14, 2015asyncSome used the hashtag to voice their support of the protest.Andrea Jekkels ‏@andreajekkels said: “This fee increase is so ridiculous I stand together in this fight against the increase #WitsFeesMustFall”‚ while Tebogo Mphane ‏@tebogomphane weighed in with: “Non-Wits student in full support of #WitsFeesMustFall”.Many‚ however‚ questioned the timing of the student strike.Kagiso Rampou ‏@Kagiso_Pou asked: “Strategies and Tactics RT@aneh_leh: Why do students always conveniently strike right before exams? #WitsFeesMustFall”‚ as did OG Mapakisha;) @Fleur_Inconnue: “I'm all for #WitsFeesMustFall and so on but the reality is that we have exams in three weeks...The timing is just so off.”MensHallsOfResidence ‏@MensResRaider understood the doubters’ concerns‚ but encouraged them to look to the future: “We know we have exams to study for but what is the use if you won't afford returning to wits next year?? #ShutDownWits #WitsFeesMustFall”."We want Habib, not the security he has sent for us" #witsshutdown#WitsFeesMustFall#WitsFeespic.twitter.com/MoGOwD8jIb — The Daily VOX (@thedailyvox) October 14, 2015asyncSome reports said the tuition fees are set to increase 10% for 2016.The protest comes just days after President Jacob Zuma’s establishment of “a task team to address funding challenges at tertiary institutions” on Monday got the nod from Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training.Zuma’s announcement followed what the Presidency described as a “very fruitful and historical meeting with vice-chancellors and the leadership of all universities in South Africa” last week.TUT Students wouldn't have burnt Great Hall on this one. #WitsFees#WitsFeesMustFallpic.twitter.com/DsAAlJ7Y5K — regothabetse (@me_rego) October 13, 2015asyncThe task team would‚ the Presidency said‚ be “made up of officials from the Department of Higher Education and Training‚ the Presidency‚ the National Student Financial Aid Scheme‚ two vice-chancellors representing the leadership of universities‚ two student representatives as well as other higher education stakeholders‚ to explore solutions to short-term student funding challenges”.We're also still trying to figure out why upfront payment fee is almost R 10000 #WitsFeesMustFall#Oct14#WitsFeespic.twitter.com/ePtWez8J7D — WITS SRC #Oct14 (@WitsSRC) October 13, 2015async Portfolio committee chairperson Yvonne Phosa said on Monday that the task team would also address the violence that has spread to many campuses in the country.Wits really #WitsFees#WitsFeesMustFallpic.twitter.com/qw1PeVRaqD— Seebz (@seeba_04) October 13, 2015async Zuma last week pleaded: “While these processes are underway‚ students need to be brought on board for frank and honest discussions so as to ensure that they do not resort to violence and destruction of property‚ which can only lead to their further suffering and deprivation.”