WITSMED, a medical aid programme for workers, has drawn criticism from workers because of its expense. Although the university agrees that the scheme has problems they cannot reform it due to the threat of legal action.
by Tebogo Tshwane and Ayanda Mgede
Members of the African National Congress (ANC), representing opposing factions #OccupyLuthuliHouse and #DefendLuthuliHouse, came face to face in a tense standoff outside the party’s headquarters in Braamfontein earlier today. The #OccupyLuthuliHouse group handed over a memorandum to ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe calling for South African and ANC president Jacob Zuma to step down along with the resignation of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and the dismantling of the Fees Commission.
SIYAYA: Protesters of #DefendLuthuliHouse arriving in their numbers. Photo: Ayanda Mgede
Mary Louw, a member of the faction said that the group was motivated by feedback received during their door to door campaign for the local government elections. Louw said that most people they spoke to said they would not be voting for the ANC because of the incumbent leadership.
“A lot of people say based on the Nkandla scandal ‘we are not voting for the ANC for as long as Zuma is President,’” Louw said.
Louw added the reason they are calling for the resignation of the NEC is the latter’s ‘autocratic’ leadership style. “They defended the President until the Constitutional Court found him guilty and even after that, they were arrogant. Instead of impeaching the President, they came to the branches and insisted that we should accept an apology from the ANC President.”
ARMOUR: Defend Luthuli House members accused the opposing faction of being funded by a third force. Tebogo Tshwane
ANC members who are defending Zuma say that problems within the ANC should be discussed within the party and not in front of the media.
Tim Mashele, the Mpumalanga ANC Youth League (ANCYL) Chairperson said that all ANC members need to have meetings where they can do some introspection as this was the only way to save the party.
“These ones they just want fame, that’s why they talk to the media. If there’s anyone that wants to save the ANC, they must go to the branches and various structures of the ANC so that we’re able to come up with real solutions to our problems,” said Mashele.
Gugu Ndima, one of the ANCYL members and organisers of the #OccupyLuthuliHouse march said they are giving the mother body a month to respond to the memorandum and they would continue to mobilise general society and other ANC members.
We, alumni of Pretoria High School for Girls stand in solidarity with the bold and courageous learners of the school, who have spoken out about rank racial discrimination at our old school.
We are emboldened and inspired by their brave and principled stance in upholding the values the school was established on. These are encompassed in the mission statement of the founding headmistress, Ms Edith Aitken, who established the school with the honourable goal of educating young women so that we may leave our mark on the world, shape agendas and fight for equitable change when called upon. Many of the school’s alumni have answered this call over the years. Ms Aitken’s values are self-evident in many of the esteemed public figures, big and small, which spent their formative years at the school. Among these are educationists, public interest lawyers, the public health system’s doctors and nurses, and other professionals.
So, whilst many of us were familiar with some of the school’s more archaic practices in our day, it is with dismay that the country’s attention was drawn yesterday (Monday 29 August) to present-day racism, bullying and patently race-based shaming of black women’s bodies by staff at the school. Some accounts point to black staff members being demeaned as well, and so we level our dissatisfaction at the school’s poor track record with regard to transformation of the staff-body that is not commensurate to the changing body politic of the school.
We pledge our support to the crop of young women-leaders who have brought national attention to issues we are sorely aware are rampant not only at PHSG, but across the country’s Model C schools.
Girls, we are with you in spirit, minds and bodies, and we assure you that as Old Girls you have all of our support. We are here to share with you our experiences of the school and situation you find yourselves in, and are a call away should you seek any guidance, assistance and other practical services. Among us are lawyers, student activists, psychologists, doctors and members of the media. We are also academics at tertiary institutions, teachers and nurses. Call on us if you need to, but remember also: you have inspired us. There is much we’d like to learn from you, too.
Signed: (more names to follow)
1. Sibongile Hill (Class of 2002) – Medical Doctor 2.
Tidimalo Ngakane (Class of 2002) – Lawyer
3. Katy Hindle (Class of 2002) – Lawyer
4. Akhona Pearl Mehlo (Class 2002) – Lawyer
5. Janet Jobson (Class of 2002) – Civil Society
6. Angelique Terblanche (Class of 2002) – Manager
7. Letebele Tsebe (Class of 2004) – Scientist
8. Shanti Aboobaker (Class of 2004) – Journalist
9. Jocelyn Evans (Class of 2004) – Engineer
10. Nqobile Simelane (Class of 2004) – Economic Development Manager
11. Christine Emmett (Class of 2004) – Academic/Commonwealth scholar
12. Yonda Siwisa (Class of 2004) – Advertising Executive
13. Ncumisa Sakawuli (Class of 2004) – Banker
14. Anushka Singh Bhima (Class of 2004) – Lawyer
15. Linda Lesu (Class of 2004)
16. Tali Cassidy (Class of 2005) – Epidemiologist
17. Lindelwa Skenjana (Class of 2005) – Marketing
18. Nadia Ebrahim (Class of 2005) – Scientist and Teacher
19. Leila Ebrahim (Class of 2005) – Dentist
20. Diale Maepa (Class of 2007) – Medical Doctor
21. Lerissa Govender (Class of 2004) – Lawyer, Civil Society
22. Moipone Moloantoa (Class of 2004) – Advertising and Marketing
23. Carla Dennis (Class of 2002) – Actress
24. Thuli Zuma (Class of 2003)
25. Katie Miller Beyers (Class of 2002)
26. Olympia Shabangu (Class of 2002) – Lawyer
27. Pilani Bubu (Class of 2002) – Entrepreneur, Singer-Songwriter
28. Leila Badsha (Class of 2005) – Entrepreneur
29. Thabisile Tilo (Class of 2006) – Teacher
30. Danielle Kriel (Class of 2004) – Lawyer
31. Olympia Shabangu (Class of 2002) – Lawyer
32. Dina Lamb (Class of 2002)
33. Tessa Kerrich – Walker (Class of 2002) – Entrepreneur
34. Myna Pindeni (Class of 2004) – Women Empowerment Programmes Officer
35. Julia Eccles, (Class of 2003) – Advertising professional
36. Jenni Myburgh (Class of 2004) – Author and app founder
37. Erin Hommes (Class of 2004) – Activist and senior researcher
38. Jessica Schnehage (Class of 2004) – Entertainment consultant/Business Owner
39. Nuraan Muller (Class of 2000) – Director
40. Refilwe Tilo (Class of 2002) –
41. Chantelle Gilbert (Class of 2002) Restaurant owner/chef
42. Laura Ilunga (Class of 2003) – Pilot
43. Princess Magopane (class of 2002) Lawyer
44. Desré Khanyisa Barnard, 2003, Master’s student, ad hoc lecturer
45. Tshegofatso Phala, 2004, Pro Bono Attorney and Human rights activist
46. Lethabo Maboi (Class of 2003) Creative Director at Styled By Boogy
47. Sanja Bornman (Class of 2000) Lawyer
48. Dieketseng Boshielo (Mokake) (Class of 2002) – Entrepreneur, supply chain & logistics
49. Palesa Motau (Class of 2004) Stakeholder Manager
50. Zimkhitha Malgas (class of 2005) procurement/logistics coordinator
51. Trish Stewart (class of 2004) advertising
52. Jessica Schnehage – (Class of 2004) Entertainment Consultant / Business Owner
53. Leila Badsha (Class of 2005) Entrepreneur
54. Maropeng Ralenala, 2003, Clinical Psychologist
55. Renée Hlozek, 2001, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Toronto
56. Kopano Marumo, 2003, Writer
57. Nobantu Nhantsi (Class of 2004) – Community Programme Co-ordinator
58. Shiluba Mawela (Class of 2004) – Impact Investor
59. Dr Francoise L.Y Goga (Class of 2006) – Medical doctor
60. Marli Roode (Class of 2001) – Author and journalist
61. Kuraisha Patel (Class of 2010) – Lawyer
62. Meka Ravenhill (Class of 2002) – Partner/Owner of Ravenhill Productions SA
63. Caileigh Pentz (Class of 2005) Industrial Designer
64. Katie-Lynne Roebert (Class of 2004) Lecturer in Higher Education
65. Amy Schoeman (Class of 2002) – Product developer
66. Dr Francoise L.Y Goga (class of 2006)- medical doctor
67. Oreratile Mogoai (Class of 2006) Research Specialist
68. Karin Heijboer ( Class of 1998)
69. Estee Burger (Class 2002) Brand Manager – South African Breweries
70. Fikile Nkosi (Class of 1998) HR Consultant – Archway Consulting
71. Ingrid Cloete (Class of 2005) – Lawyer
72. Larissa Meckelburg nee Focke (Class of 2001) MA student at Freie Universität Berlin
73. Jana van den Munckhof (Class of 2002) – Minister
74. Sithabile Mokgokong (Class of 1998) – Interior Architect
75. Meg Hendry (Class of 1998) Reflexologist
76. Sarah Richmond (Class of 2002) – University Lecturer
77. Bridget Corrigan (Class of 2002) Conservation Manager
78. Jane-Anne Kokkinn (Class of 2003) Film Producer
79. Lusanda Shimange (Class of 1998) OBGYN
80. Makosha Maja, (Class of 2000) Head of Insight (M&C Saatchi Abel)
81. Pamela Ilunga (Class of 1999) HR Director
82. Lebogang Mahlare Chemical Engineer
83. Jade Perumal (class of 2005), Operations Manager
84. Sanja Bornman (Class of 2000) Gender Rights Lawyer at Lawyers For Human Rights.
85. Genevieve Cator (Class of 1984) Former staff member at PHSG and Publisher
by Tebogo Tshwane and Kyle Oberholzer
Wits University held its annual silent protest against sexual violence and in solidarity with survivors on Wednesday, August 17.
While Wits was hosting the event for the fourth time, the protest celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.
The first silent protest took place at Rhodes University in 2006 and was initiated by gender activists as a means to show solidarity with Khwezi, the complainant at the centre of the Jacob Zuma rape trial.
Aids Healthcare Foundation regional policy and advocacy manager Larissa Klazinga said the over the years the protest has even gone international.
Klazinga, addressing participants at Wits, said that in the ten years that she has been involved with the protest she has seen solidarity heal wounds.
“By you being here today and allowing people to tell their truth is fundamentally empowering and healing” she said.
Silent protestors marched through Wits West Campus to East Campus blowing whistles to disrupt the space and force it into awareness while other participants wore tape on their mouths to symbolise the woman who are silenced by rape and gender based violence.
An opinion piece by Tinovimbanashe Gwenyaya, deputy chairperson of the Wits Zimbabwean Students’ Association. (more…)
By Ayanda Mgede and Laura Pisanello
The National Treasury has said that they have not budgeted for a zero percent fee increase for 2017, causing speculation that another series of #FeesMustFall protests could be possible.
The statement was made on Friday at the Fees Commission and coincided with a report by the Council of Higher Education (CHE) stating that another 0% increase in 2017 would not be possible as university fee increases should at least be on par with inflation. They recommended an increase of 6.3% for both tuition and registration fees. The CHE also cautioned that without an increase in fees, universities would be in a worse financial position.
The CHE also included in the report its recommendation to increase the state subsidy to universities by R5.7 billion in 2017/18 therefore allowing universities to recover some of their shortfall caused by the 0% increase in 2016. The CHE did, however, caution that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) would still have a shortfall of R300 million.
The CHE proposed a blanket increase for all universities that would essentially ensure that students see no fee increase between 2016 and 2017, possibly with the exemption of some residence fees.
But the National Treasury said on Friday that when the announcement for a 0% increase was made the budget had already been planned for the next few years, making it very difficult for the Treasury to reallocate funds to higher education. Michael Sachs, who presented on behalf of the National Treasury, said that they had budgeted on fee increases for the following years.
At a town hall meeting last week, Wits Vice Chancellor Adam Habib said that that Wits would need an 8% increase for 2017, if the university did not receive an increased subsidy from the government.
Mzwanele Ntshwanti, the projects, media and campaigns officer for the Wits Student Representative Council (SRC) and member of the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) told Wits Vuvuzela that they opposed any fee increase.
“We still don’t want any increment, SAUS (South African Union of Students) doesn’t want any increment, SRC doesn’t want any increment, no one wants a fee increment and we are still trying to negotiate and see what can come out,” Ntshwanti said.
He also told Wits Vuvuzela that a statement regarding a possible national shutdown would be released shortly.
Ayanda Mgede and Laura Pisanello
The Fees Commission wrapped up its last day of submissions today in Vanderbijlpark, Vaal Triangle, offering three submissions from students and various stakeholders involved in higher education funding.
The National Treasury made the first submissions, focusing on the budget for higher education in the 2016 fiscal policy.
“You either have to decrease spending in another sector or you need to increase revenue,” said Michael Sachs, who was presenting on the Treasury’s behalf. Sachs stated that the only way to increase revenue would be to increase taxes. He also added that this would affect employment because the government would have to regulate and control the number of public servants it hires. Although higher education was allocated R4.8 billion in this year’s budget, it will not be enough for free education. The government is going to need an estimate of R16.8 billion for the next three years in order to make up for this year’s 0% fee increament. Sachs warned, however, that the only way to increase education funding, would be to take from another sector and the decision would not be easy.
“There is no cut that you can conceive, that won’t have a counter-argument,” he said.
Nikhiel Deeplal, former Chairperson of Student for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ), said they need for government to cater for the different students who come from difficult economic backgrounds . SLSJ have proposed a sliding-scale model, whereby the rich students will still pay for what they can afford to and their tuition fees will subsidise those who can’t afford. The group made it clear in their submissions that funding did not only include fees but many students needed money for food, books and accommodation.
Lunga Siyo who presented on behalf of SLSJ said that “I think this was a good start, we got an opportunity to get a lot of insights; the thinking of the commission, where they want to go and what we need to expand on for further submissions.”
The next set of meetings will take place on Monday August 22nd , in Nelspruit. The Commission chairperson, Judge JA Hehrer was disappointed in the fact that there weren’t as many presented proposals as they had hoped.
By Nokuthula Zwane and Zanta Nkumane
WITS voting stations did not see long lines at the polls as many students skipped out on casting their ballots for the local government elections. Officials estimated that voter turnout was less than 30%.
Throughout election day, the lines at voting stations at Education Campus and the Old Mutual Sports Hall on East campus barely stretched past 20 people at a time. When Wits Vuvuzela went to check at 5pm if the voter turnout had improved, only two people were in the line at Old Mutual. “We were expecting 2 520 people but only 700 have showed up,” an Independent Election Official (IEC) official revealed. “Students don’t want to vote,” he said with a chuckle.
#IVOTED: Wits Vuvuzela journalists took time out from covering elections to cast their own votes. The local government elections went relatively smoothly with voting stations running from 7am to 7pm. Final election results are expected to be released from this evening. PHOTO: Zanta Nkumane
The scenes at the Wits polling stations were as quiet as a cemetery, with security guards and police sitting in a group chatting and snacking. “We’ve been bored all day,” said a police officer.
Across the Library Lawns, the ANC had set up a tent and was still campaigning. A group of about 20 student activists sangs songs in the chilly wind.After a study conducted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) revealed last week that most students would rather protest than vote, this poor turnout may be a wakeup call for parties to re-think how they engage youth voters going forward.
Mokgadi Maila, a Mining Engineering student, said she was a second time voter but after voting, she was still doubtful if it would make a difference to political parties.
“I don’t think they’ll change anything. I hope they can deliver,” she said.While others went to the polls, some students didn’t bother to register to vote.
“You vote then what happens?” asked 23-year-old Smanele Mbhele, Honours Education. “I had better things to do today than vote.”
Although the turnout at Wits was not as expected, many South Africans made their X mark on the ballot for the Municipal Elections.
Over 133.000 voting booths were opened across the country. In preparation for the elections, the IEC had made arrangements to ensure that the elections remained free and fair.
Among the citizens who voted around the country was President Jacob Zuma who cast his vote in his hometown of Nkandla, in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane cast his vote with his wife, Natalie, at the Allen Glen High School in Roodeport. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema cast his vote in Seshego, Limpopo.
This election has been highly anticipated with many opposition parties such as the DA and EFF expecting to increase their share of the vote at the expense of the ruling ANC.
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