Latest news with #WalterSisuluUniversity
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Education or Entrapment? How Student Debt Sustains Systemic Youth Oppression in a Democratic South Africa
Awam Mavimbela is a registered social worker, former Walter Sisulu University Lecturer, PhD candidate with University of the Free State, and a published author Image: Supplied Apartheid-era education policies, rooted in oppression and segregation, have necessitated post-apartheid efforts to redress historical injustices by broadening access to the university system. Education remains a critical instrument for addressing inequality and alleviating poverty. However, despite gains in access, post-apartheid South African youth are now confronted by a new barrier, student debt. Even within this debt crisis, the enduring deliberate inequalities of apartheid are evident. Institutions historically serving white students tend to have significantly lower levels of student debt compared to universities predominantly attended by African, Coloured, and Indian students. For instance, as of 2021, student debt at Tshwane University of Technology amounted to R4.4 billion; Cape Peninsula University of Technology stood at R1.13 billion; Central University of Technology at R1.78 billion; and the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of the Witwatersrand at R1.7 billion and R1.062 billion, respectively. In stark contrast, Stellenbosch University's student debt was only R16.3 million; Rhodes University, R15.3 million; and the University of Cape Town (UCT), the lowest, at R14.1 million. The consequences of student debt are severe. They include withholding of academic certificates, exclusion from further studies, and blocked registration for subsequent academic years. These frustrations contributed to the #FeesMustFall protests of 2015/2016, when students, particularly from marginalised communities, reached a breaking point. While student demographics are not always disaggregated by race within institutions, without doubt African, Coloured, and Indian students bear the brunt of student debt an inference supported by national socio-economic disparities released by StatsSA yearly. Thus, student debt emerges as a modern mechanism of continued systemic oppression in South Africa, reinforcing historical patterns of exclusion and undermining constitutional promises. Section 29(1)(b) of the South African Constitution obliges the state to make higher education "progressively available and accessible." This means there should be funding (NSFAS) reform as the current leads to student debts. The existing debt crisis contradicts this mandate, challenging the myth that access to education is purely merit-based. Instead, structural inequalities ensure that student debt perpetuates intergenerational poverty as per apartheid policies. During apartheid, racial exclusion from education was legally enforced through instruments such as the Bantu Education Act of 1953, the Indian Education Act, and the Coloured Persons Education Act. Today, universities—ostensibly democratic institutions—function as more subtle vehicles of exclusion through financial mechanisms, particularly student debt. The discourse around student experiences is increasingly colour-blind, overlooking the racialised nature of economic and educational policy legacies. Within a neoliberal framework, student debt is framed as a personal burden rather than a manifestation of systemic socio-economic oppression. This neo-liberal individualistic perspective erases the structural dimensions of debt, which enforces racial and class stratification. As such, debt is not merely a technical or financial issue, it is youth symbolic violence (continuation of oppression). For Black graduates, many of whom are financially responsible for extended families, student debt is a source of mental illnesses like, trauma, stress, and delayed economic participation. Historic debts contribute to the intergenerational mental health burdens—depression, anxiety, social isolation, and trauma—among previously oppressed populations. Furthermore, the student debt crisis reveals how universities have become corporatised entities, dependent on student fees for financial viability. Students are no longer just recipients of education; they are financiers sustaining the neoliberal university model. This article contends that student debt is a consequence of apartheid-era oppression and calls for solutions beyond the current frameworks, such as debt cancellation, free education, or universal basic income. Without reimagining education funding, existing approaches risk entrenching the status quo of racial inequality, thereby serving elite interests. Student debt also undermines initiatives like the 1997 White Paper for Social Welfare, which identified education as a vehicle for redressing historical imbalances (poverty). The fragmented social welfare systems experienced by Africans, Coloureds, and Indians cannot be remedied without addressing the racialised nature of educational debt.
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
WSU Protest: Students to appear in court after violence erupts over bail decision
Five Walter Sisulu University students will appear in court on Thursday. Five people arrested in connection with violent protests at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in the Eastern Cape are expected to appear in court on Thursday. According to police, protests turned violent at the institution's Mthatha main campus after news emerged residence manager, Manelisi Mampane, was granted R10,000 bail by the Mthatha Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Mampane is accused of fatally shooting student Sisonke Mbolekwa during a protest in April this year. At the time, the students who were protesting over the poor condition of residences were reportedly marching towards the manager's on-campus residence when live shots were fired.
Eyewitness News
5 days ago
- General
- Eyewitness News
AbaThembu king to challenge bail of murder-accused WSU staff member
DURBAN - The abaThembu kingdom said it would confront the judicial system to challenge the bail of a Walter Sisulu University (WSU) staff member. Manelisi Mampane, accused of killing university student Sisonke Mbolekwa, was granted R10,000 bail on Tuesday. This sparked violent demonstrations at the university, with students calling for his bail to be revoked. ALSO READ: - WSU students vow to continue demanding justice for slain peer Sisonke Mbolekwa - Police call for calm as WSU students protest after the release of Manelisi Mampane - 3 students arrested after student protest at WSU's Mthatha campus Angered by this, abaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has vowed that he will tackle the matter. The emotional mother of Mbolekwa joined the student protest on Wednesday against the court's decision to grant Mampane bail. The mother, who couldn't contain her tears, was seen comforted by the abaThembu king. "Mntanomhle, we are tired of judges that are bribed and taking abnormal decisions, corrupt decisions. This time around, we will not respect that stupid court of law. I am the court of first instance in this land." The king also vowed that he would take all necessary steps to oppose the bail. "I am going to the judge president - that's my intervention." Academic activities at the institution have been halted since the decision, just days before examinations get underway.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Police respond to new WSU student protest
Three WSU students were arrested during Wednesday's protest and face charges of public violence, damage to infrastructure, and damage to property. Fresh student demonstrations erupted at Walter Sisulu University's Mthatha campus on Wednesday morning, prompting police deployment and the closure of the N2 highway. Students protested the bail release of a residence manager accused of murdering a fellow student. The protests began in the early hours of Wednesday, at approximately 5 am, with students burning tyres and blocking the main N2 road between Durban and the town centre. Police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, who shielded themselves with cardboard and foam materials while wearing balaclavas to avoid identification. Two police officers have reportedly been injured during a confrontation with the protesting students. Background to the new WSU protest The demonstrations stem from Tuesday's court decision to release Manelisi Mampane, a 54-year-old residence manager, on R10 000 bail. Mampane faces charges of murder and two counts of attempted murder following the fatal shooting of 24-year-old student Sisonke Mbolekwa during a campus protest in April. The original April protest involved students demonstrating over poor residence conditions and maintenance issues. During that demonstration, Mbolekwa was allegedly shot and killed by the residence manager, while other students sustained injuries. Police response to WSU unrest and the suspect's release The South African Police Service (Saps) on Wednesday morning distanced itself from the judicial decision to release Mampane, while acknowledging the community's distress. Police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana emphasised that the bail decision was beyond police authority. 'Saps acknowledges the ongoing student protests at the Walter Sisulu University at Mthatha campus, concerning the court-ordered release of a murder suspect linked to the death of Sisonke Mbolekwa,' Gantana said. 'We recognise the profound distress this case has caused within the university community.' Gantana reinforced constitutional rights while emphasising legal boundaries: 'Saps affirms the constitutional right to peaceful protest (Section 17) but emphasises its mandate to ensure public safety, protect infrastructure, and uphold the rule of law without interfering in judicial independence.' Gantana explained that the suspect's release was directed by the court under standard legal procedures. 'Saps has no authority over judicial decisions,' she stated. ALSO READ: Walter Sisulu University murder case: Magistrate accused of bias after employee granted R10k bail Ongoing investigation and arrests Despite the bail release, police confirmed that their investigation remains active. 'The murder investigation remains active, prioritised, and ongoing. We continue to collaborate closely with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to pursue justice through legal channels,' Gantana indicated. Three students were arrested during Wednesday's protest and face charges of public violence, damage to infrastructure, and damage to property. Police condemned the violent aspects of the demonstration, stating: 'We condemn reported acts of vandalism, arson, road blockades, or intimidation. Such criminal conduct diverts critical resources from the investigation and undermines the pursuit of justice.' Provincial leadership appeals for calm Acting Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso made a direct appeal to the student community. 'We appeal for calm as we patiently allow legal processes to unfold. We encourage those who are aggrieved to channel grievances through lawful avenues,' Kupiso stated. The police leadership acknowledged the emotional aspect of the situation while calling for restraint. 'Emotional solidarity is understood, but unlawful actions jeopardise the justice we collectively seek. Saps remains unwavering in its commitment to solving this crime and securing accountability through due process,' Kupiso concluded. READ MORE: Walter Sisulu University's protest shooting denial Family's allegations and legal action According to Newzroom Afrika, the victim's family expressed deep disappointment with Tuesday's bail decision, with their spokesperson alleging judicial bias. The family reportedly believes the presiding magistrate showed favouritism during proceedings and plans to file a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission. They also announced intentions to appeal the bail decision. WSU protests impact on academic activities The ongoing unrest has disrupted university operations, with academic activities reportedly halted for approximately six weeks due to the incidents surrounding Mampane's arrest and subsequent bail release. Students who spoke to the media indicated their determination to continue the protests until justice is served. The protests have also affected local traffic patterns, with the closure of the N2 highway forcing motorists to seek alternative routes through residential areas not typically used for heavy traffic flow. Police officers have been directing traffic around the protest areas. Police have appealed to students to honour Mbolekwa's memory through constructive, non-violent means while allowing the legal system to proceed through proper channels. NOW READ: Boy shot dead in Westbury as 'gang members roam freely'
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Anger at WSU as students protest bail for residence manager accused of murder
Burned tyres and rocks litter the N2 outside WSU's Mthatha campus following a protest over the release of a murder suspect. Image: Facebook Three students from Walter Sisulu University (WSU) were arrested on Wednesday after a protest over the court-ordered release of a residence manager accused of murder. The protest turned violent at the institution's Mthatha main campus after news emerged residence manager Manelisi Mampane was granted a R10,000 bail by the Mthatha Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Mampane is accused of fatally shooting student Sisonke Mbolekwa during a protest in April this year. Videos circulating on social media showed some students throwing stones at police officers who responded to the scene. IOL News previously reported that Mampane is facing charges of murder and two counts of attempted murder after two other students were also injured in the incident. Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed the arrests and acknowledged the deep frustration in the university community following the court's decision. 'We recognise the profound distress this case has caused within the university community,' Gantana said. 'SAPS affirms the constitutional right to peaceful protest under Section 17 but emphasises our mandate to ensure public safety, protect infrastructure, and uphold the rule of law without interfering in judicial independence.' Gantana said the court determined Mampane's release under standard legal procedures, and that police have no authority over judicial decisions. She added that the murder investigation remains active, prioritised, and ongoing in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). She condemned acts of vandalism, arson, intimidation, and road blockades during the protest. 'Such criminal conduct diverts critical resources from the investigation and undermines the pursuit of justice,' she said. 'Public order units remain deployed to facilitate peaceful dissent while safeguarding lives and property.' She said the three students are expected to face charges of public violence, damage to infrastructure, and damage to property. Police confiscated wheelbarrows and sponge mattresses used by protesters. Meanwhile, education activist Hendrick Makaneta also condemned the violent nature of the protest. 'These acts are not only unlawful but dangerously irresponsible,' Makaneta said. 'They put innocent lives at risk and disrupt the daily lives and livelihoods of ordinary South Africans.'
