New and returning students still uneasy as registration at Wits University goes ahead amidst protest action and a heavy security presence.
THE SHOW GOES ON: Students register at Hall 29 for 2016 despite heavy security presence and FeesMustFall protests. Photo: Michelle Gumede
While sporadic protest action continues at Wits University main campus, some students have braved the demonstrations and heavily armed security guards to come and register for the 2016 academic year. Some students were nervous about registering while others were just happy to have completed their registration.
Returning BSc student, Alexis Shumba, said her registration process has not gone smooth at all but because of university bureaucracy, not the protests.
“I have been going up and down since Monday from enrolment centre to CNS,” said Shumba.
Shumba has been coming in everyday since Monday from Crown Gardens, arriving at 7am and leaving at around 3pm. The self-funded student said she is frustrated and only saw today that the protest was actually needed. “But I hate that its interfering but its needed coz my thing was blocked because of fees.”
Newly-registered BSc student Sonwabiso Manty from Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape said when he heard about the FeesMustFall protests continuing on Monday, he became quite anxious about registering. News of extra security and calm on campus made him more “relaxed”. Registration at the university resumed today.
“Everything was smooth and the staff were so excellent,” Manty said.
Manty was able to pay the registration with money he received from his high APS scores. However he is still looking for a bursary to pay for his tuition. “My documents are still outstanding for financial aid,” he said.
Students who are part of the FeesMustFall movement are still protesting while security presence is high and police vehicles can be spotted all over campus.
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TOUGH REGISTRATION: Students were met with tight security in and outside campus. Photo: Michelle Gumede
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TOUGH REGISTRATION: Students were met with tight security in and outside campus. Photo: Michelle Gumede
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TOUGH REGISTRATION: Students were met with tight security in and outside campus. Photo: Michelle Gumede
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TOUGH REGISTRATION: Students were met with tight security in and outside campus. Photo: Michelle Gumede
