Staff join students in UWC shutdown

27 October 2015 - 02:11 By Aarti J Narsee

The University of the Western Cape became the latest campus to close its doors yesterday after hundreds of students marched across the university grounds. Academics, who joined the protests, and support staff met to discuss taking the #FeesMustFall movement forward.UWC spokesman Luthando Tyhalibongo said there was no clarity on how many academics were supporting the campaign.The march took place despite the student representative council urging students to "focus and prepare" for their final exam s.In addition to scrapping fees, UWC students are calling for the institutionalisation of their private residences - which can cost up to R35000 a year - and the writing-off of debt.Honours student Busiswa Ngqameni, 22, said the protest did not mean students wanted to neglect their exams. Another student, aged 20, said: "Of course we are studying. We protest in the day and study at night. When we wake up we are activists."Late yesterday UWC rector Tyrone Pretorius said the campus would be closed until exams begin next week.University of Cape Town students threatened to occupy their residences after the close of the academic year if university management did not meet their reform demands .At a march yesterday , a #FeesMustFall leader exhorted students to keep the pressure on management despite the victory last week in getting agreement to cancel fee increases next year.Athabile Nonxuba said students were angry at the absence of concrete reform moves by UCT vice-chancellor Max Price, such as ending outsourcing of labour and giving access to medical aid schemes.Price had merely offered "a series of platitudes".In Stellenbosch, the only disruption occurred at the Stellenbosch Magistrate's Court, where three students briefly appeared before charges were dropped.Wits University remained closed yesterday.Additional reporting by Bobby Jordan..

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