Fort Hare students return to campus -- but continue stayaway

Thousands of University of Fort Hare students have returned to their campus this morning as the university reopens for the final term… not for academic activities… but to continue with the stayaway. 

Before going on holiday two weeks ago, the students were already on a stayaway in solidarity with nursing students whose department is currently temporarily closed. 

A small group of students are singing outside the East London campus ahead of a mass meeting scheduled to take place this morning. 

Heads of political organisation at the campus have told DispatchLive that the issue of nursing students  is on the agenda of the meeting. 

"The aim of the meeting is to unite the students. Will add other issues affecting students at this mass meeting. It is the mass meeting that will decide whether we continue with the stayaway, or go on a full-blown strike or return to class," said EFFSC media officer Lukhanyo Quntsu.