AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has joined the call for university fees to fall.
The monarch is trying to interdict tertiary institutions in his area of jurisdiction to compel them not to increase fees, saying this deprived students of the right to education.
Yesterday the king was lobbying other kings and queens and traditional leaders.
“I have already spoken to King Zwelonke of AmaXhosa and he is on the same page as me. We cannot, as leaders, fold our arms and do nothing,’’ said Dalindyebo.
He said he wanted to launch a court bid to prevent Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College from raising fees.
“I am earning between R600000 and R700000 per annum, but I am struggling to send my children to varsity.
“How much more does it cost for the man and woman on the street who have less income than people like me? The increment is absurd. It should be stopped.
“This is like the start of the Marikana strike. The government is showing no interest in addressing the students’ genuine complaints,’’ said the king, referring to his appeal to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday for his crimes which could see him dethroned if he loses.
“My woes are less important than the financial problems of the students of this country.”
He called the government “brutal” for unleashing the police on student protestors.
Yesterday WSU’s Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha joined the strike with students toy-toying at the main gate.
Students leaders from the ANC Youth League, Economic Freedom Front, and Pan Africanist Students Movement of Azania were set to meet Dalindyebo and his council last night. ANC Youth League site chairman Luzuko Delihlazo said: “We call on other traditional leaders to join him in his effort to fight for us.”
Classes were interrupted yesterday and students were removed from libraries by the toy-toying students. WSU spokesman Thando Cezula said yesterday’s action was not part of their agreement with students.
He said management has agreed to allow students “to join and participate in the national protest today.
“On Monday, university operations will resume normally.” — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Varsity fees hike absurd, says king
The monarch is trying to interdict tertiary institutions in his area of jurisdiction to compel them not to increase fees, saying this deprived students of the right to education.
Yesterday the king was lobbying other kings and queens and traditional leaders.
“I have already spoken to King Zwelonke of AmaXhosa and he is on the same page as me. We cannot, as leaders, fold our arms and do nothing,’’ said Dalindyebo.
He said he wanted to launch a court bid to prevent Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College from raising fees.
“I am earning between R600000 and R700000 per annum, but I am struggling to send my children to varsity.
“How much more does it cost for the man and woman on the street who have less income than people like me? The increment is absurd. It should be stopped.
“This is like the start of the Marikana strike. The government is showing no interest in addressing the students’ genuine complaints,’’ said the king, referring to his appeal to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday for his crimes which could see him dethroned if he loses.
“My woes are less important than the financial problems of the students of this country.”
He called the government “brutal” for unleashing the police on student protestors.
Yesterday WSU’s Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha joined the strike with students toy-toying at the main gate.
Students leaders from the ANC Youth League, Economic Freedom Front, and Pan Africanist Students Movement of Azania were set to meet Dalindyebo and his council last night. ANC Youth League site chairman Luzuko Delihlazo said: “We call on other traditional leaders to join him in his effort to fight for us.”
Classes were interrupted yesterday and students were removed from libraries by the toy-toying students. WSU spokesman Thando Cezula said yesterday’s action was not part of their agreement with students.
He said management has agreed to allow students “to join and participate in the national protest today.
“On Monday, university operations will resume normally.” — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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