Nzimande’s Announcement Keenly Awaited

Wednesday 28 October 2015 23:52
SABC

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande will on Thursday reveal the details of how R2,6 billion will be generated to cover the 0% fee increase at universities.

Nzimande made this announcement during the Higher Education Transformation Debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Last Friday President Jacob Zuma announced a 0% fee increase for the 2016 academic year after he had met with student leaders and Vice Chancellors in Pretoria.

During the debate in the National Assembly, Nzimande said, “To resolve the immediate shortfall of an estimated R2.6 billion required to cover the 0% fee increase, we are working out exactly what different sectors will contribute together with the minister of Finance.”

Nzimande also said the wealthier universities have committed to make a contribution. He said more details would be given on Thursday following a meeting with the President.

Meanwhile, Wits University management has described as unreasonable the students' demand for the university to be closed until Monday. The demand was made when Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib came out to engage the protesting workers and students in the scotching heat at the main campus in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon.

Incoming SRC President Nompendulo Mkhatshwa also faced the wrath of the striking crowd as she tried to address them

The students joined the workers in their protest against the outsourcing of workers.

Some lectures were disrupted.

Incoming SRC President Nompendulo Mkhatshwa also faced the wrath of the striking crowd as she tried to address them.

Several fires were started on campus in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Two cars were set alight.

Other acts of vandalism were also committed.

Some students say they were threatened and forced to abandon their lectures by their protesting counterparts.