What is the FeesMustFall movement?
The #FeesMustFall movement gained momentum just months after students also made headlines for the #RhodesMustFall movement — which aimed to deconstruct institutional racism at South Africa’s universities and began with a demonstration to remove the statue of Cecil John Rhodes, a controversial 19th century imperialist …
How was FeesMustFall resolved?
Although initially enjoying significant public support the protest movement started to loose public sympathy when the protests started turning violent. The 2015 protest ended when it was announced by the South African government that there would be no tuition fee increases for 2016.
When did the fees must fall start?
October 12, 2015
FeesMustFall/Start dates
Can students protest?
Yes. You do not lose your right to free speech just by walking into school. You have the right to speak out, hand out flyers and petitions, and wear expressive clothing in school — as long as you don’t disrupt the functioning of the school or violate the school’s content-neutral policies.
What did Kanya Cekeshe do?
The 25-year-old was convicted of public violence and malicious damage to property when he tried to set alight a police van during the Fees Must Fall protests in 2016. He was handed an eight-year sentence, of which three years were suspended, in December 2017.
Why is the # FeesMustFall campaign so important?
The #FeesMustFall campaign is aimed at convincing the government and tertiary institutions to eliminate tuition fees. The campaign is advocating for free tertiary education.
How much money did the FeesMustFall protest cost?
According to the minister, protest action had by September 27 resulted in R600 million in damage to property – equal to almost a quarter of the R2.5 billion in additional funding that the National Treasury will need to find for next year.7
Are there going to be tuition fees increases in 2016?
The campaign is advocating for free tertiary education. The campaign is also rejecting that the government has allowed universities and colleges to increase their fees next year following a 0% increase in 2016. Tertiary education fees have over the past decade consistently increased at above-inflation rates.
Why are university fees going up so much?
According to newly released research by the University of the Free State (UFS),9the above- inflation increases in tertiary education costs are associated with 1) a deteriorating exchange rate significantly increasing the costs of imported textbooks, equipment and software, as well as 2) a decline in private income earned by universities.