Being the watchdog in the midst of burning chaos, running around to gain answers from law enforcement, universities and trusted sources (who do not have all the correct answers themselves) is nerve-wracking.
Not because these entities are none the wiser, but because they are faced with a classic catch 22, stuck between a rock and a hard place.
These senseless protests, abducting the carefree culture of Wellington’s students and those particularly on the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) campuses, is an abuse of malicious power by a select few under the gross guise of “human rights”.
What brought this sheer magnitude of destruction across campuses on, many wonder.
Well . . . a government entity, The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), implemented a policy change to the requirements for qualifying beneficiaries. The reasons given by protesting students are operational in nature, CPUT stated. “These range from shuttle-service matters and cafeterias to the need for additional accommodation,” it explained. “The new NSFAS requirement is that anyone studying for less than 60 course credits is no longer eligible for accommodation, living and transport allowance.”
Some may say a certain minority of spoilt students who fail to recognise their privilege are throwing their toys out of the cot. Why? Because not even the struggle-loving powers that be can afford to float such students (who want to benefit from good faith by doing the barest minimum) anymore.
The police, Public Order Police (Pops) and security forces’ hands are tied in fear of being prosecuted for “police brutality”, you know, since the right to protest is regarded as sacred by the same government.
Not only that; our protectors in blue have to prove guilt in impossible circumstances with the limited resources and manpower (the same government fails to provide) they possess.
Why is it impossible?
Because these protests are simply too precise and militant in nature to be pulled off by a handful of foolish protesting students alone. Indeed they are highly strategically coordinated in groups making it extremely difficult to separate the true arsonists from the associated crowds kicking up clouds of dust and distractions around them.
I refuse to believe these protests are sincere expressions of individual and personal plights. Anyone lucky enough to be enrolled in a tertiary education system in South Africa should protect that opportunity at any cost, even if it means ignoring incitement to violence and intimidation from fellow “patriots” trying to convince one that one is underprivileged.
Because you – a protesting student – are privileged. You are a part of a very small minority of South Africans who are gifted the rare opportunity of acquiring a tertiary education. Remember, only 7% of adult South Africans have tertiary qualifications.
Why should anyone have sympathy for those who are gifted such rare opportunities, but show their lack of appreciation by torching the same institutions they expect mercy and relief from? I cannot yet prove who the masterminds behind these senseless protests are. But I know for a fact – no matter who the masters may be – they don’t care about the true success and futures of the students disrupting law, order and education.
To the majority of law-abiding, hard-working students robbed of their right to study in peace and quiet, and safety – to you I express my innermost sympathies. But take courage in the chaos that surrounds you and do not be shaken by fear or intimidation. If you see wrongdoing be very aware and try to identify those who do evil. Help authorities provide evidence of misconduct and unlawful behaviour. Call out the guilty!
To the simple sheepish students prancing along among the destruction – stop associating yourself with those who burn instead of build, those who torch instead of teaching true virtues, those who bite the hands that feed them.
Stop cowering behind an evil crowd and instead take the high road of peace and cooperation. To quote the late US President John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
As a hardworking, taxpaying citizen I can confidently say nobody owes you a damn thing, much less if you burn the blessings that take away from everyone around you. See, that’s the problem with so-called socialist virtues – they ensure equality of outcome (a.k.a equity) alright, even if it means we’re all left with nothing.
