UFH students hope for speedy resolution as boycott drags on

Mindful of the missed classes because of the class boycott at the University of Fort Hare, some students are desperately itching to start their academic year – but after the accommodation debacle has been sorted.

This, as the UFH management sent out an e-mail to staff and students on Monday night informing them the East London campus would be closed until Friday.

The decision followed Monday’s disruption of the academic programme by students who are demanding accommodation for their peers.

The class boycott is now in its third week as students intensify their action.

Yesterday, students told the Daily Dispatch that they hoped the accommodation problem would be resolved.

BCom accounting second-year student, Esena Matshobane said although she had accommodation she supported the call to have all students provided with accommodation.

“There is still a lot of students who are still with no accommodation.

“We would like the management to speed up the process so that everything can go back to normal,” she said.

First-year law student Masande Zeka shares a room at Glen Eagles with three other students.

He is among many students that are still without accommodation.

“We would like to go to class, but we must first have accommodation,” he said.

Bachelor of education level two Lamla Nkunjana has accommodation. She said if the stayaway would make management provide them accommodation for other students “so it must carry on”.

“I cannot be selfish and say they are making a big deal out of nothing. Not having accommodation is a big deal.

“Every student deserves to have a place to stay,” she said.

Mihlali Peter, a first-year bachelor of education student, said she wished “the whole thing could be over”.

She also, does not have accommodation.

“When we eventually start we will be overwhelmed with work, but I cannot get excited of starting classes while I do not have accommodation,” she said.

In his Monday night e-mail, UFH interim deputy vice-chancellor of academics, Professor John Hendricks said: “This is regrettable because management spent the past weeks attempting to reach consensus the East London Student Representative Council around the issue of accommodation”.

He said the management viewed intimidation, harassment and disruption of the academic programmes in a serious light.

“All staff and students who feel unsafe at work or at university in this atmosphere are allowed to work from home until Friday.”

East London premier Kwanele Ntantala said the SRC had engaged the management countless times on the issue where temporary accommodation had been requested while waiting for procurement processes to unfold.

UFH spokesman Khotso Moabi said: “The university and the SRC continue to work towards finding a solution and the university is attempting to find a permanent solution to the accommodation challenge but it is not a quick-fix.”