The communiques coming from the University are not encouraging for those who had hopes of completing the 2016 academic year with Acting Vice-Chancellor: Dr Sibongile Muthwa saying; “What was supposed to have been an exciting return to academic activities to complete the 2016 year after a four-week shutdown turned into what has to be the worst week in NMMU’s 11-year history.”
Various initiatives from business to find off-campus venues run the real risk of placing well meaning benefactors and their premises at risk.
Thoughts now need to turn to just how we as a society are going to heal and deal with tens of thousands of students who will be unable to complete this academic year and who will carry the stigma of being a #FeesMustFall victim/activist for the rest of their lives.
The overwhelming concern also needs to turn to those students who will never be able to complete their degrees as a result of this action – imagine what resentment those students will carry for the rest of their lives and just how that resentment will play out in their everyday lives in small but cumulatively negative ways.
One must be realistic and realise that in the future the following will happen:
- Those identified as #FeesMustFall activists will struggle to get gainful employment from those negatively affected by the movement.
- Those identified as #OpenNMMU activists will also be victimised and denied gainful employement by #FeesMustFall activists
- Employers interviewing prospective employee’s who attended university in 2015/16/17 will lean towards employing someone else not ‘tainted’ with rebellion
The scenario above will creep into social life and people will judge of be wary of any student from this era. These students will be adversely affected for the rest of their lives. Something, that could have been avoided if violence and intimidation was not a factor. Have we not learned anything at all in the last 100 years?
Related: Inside Men talk about the more Human Face of #FeesMustFall | One Simple Move that would make #FeesMustFall succeed
Sunday’s release from NMMU by Acting Vice-Chancellor: Dr Sibongile Muthwa said:
The events witnessed and experienced during the past week at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) go against everything the University stands for, and everything it has wished to avoid.
There were clashes between police and our students, reports of intimidation and violence, the stoning of cars, the burning of two buildings, damage to property, allegations of police brutality and the arrest of 33 students that has left our staff, students and their families highly anxious or traumatised. We appreciate that you are disheartened, demoralised and frustrated. Many of you are wondering how you will be able to complete your studies and exams.
What was supposed to have been an exciting return to academic activities to complete the 2016 year after a four-week shutdown turned into what has to be the worst week in NMMU’s 11-year history.
We had peacefully returned to operations on Monday after finally reaching a broad agreement with the #FeesMustFall student leaders to resume classes the next day. But on Tuesday, clashes between police and protesting students broke out and classes were disrupted on some of the University’s six campuses. With security improved, we chose to press on the next day in our resolve to complete the 2016 academic year, well knowing that time is already against us. On Wednesday, however, the protests took on an increased and more violent turn.
We are also particularly mindful of our students living in residences on campus who are unable to easily avoid the present turmoil. The Dean of Students, Mr Luthando Jack, has engaged the student housing staff on implementing measures that will ensure improved safety on campus residences.
We are deeply saddened by what you have experienced, and for the concern this must be causing you and your families. The University has availed counselling and other support interventions to students. The Psychology Clinic on South Campus and the Campus Health Clinic on North Clinic both remain open as safe spaces for you to receive support during this very difficult time. Please also approach your residence managers or lecturers for any other help that you may need.
As you will know, few face-to-face classes are taking place because of the risk of further interruptions. However, NMMU remains open. It has not closed.
We have not closed the university because we remain committed to doing all that we can to ensure that you are able to complete the 2016 academic year by now offering alternative methods and means of teaching and assessment. It is what other South African universities are now doing under the circumstances.
We are pleased to share, for example, that we have assessed what needs to be done to assist all our final-year students complete their programmes for 2016 and are confident that we are making progress. Details will be communicated early next week on the http://fmf.nmmu.ac.za website.
Similar assessments are being conducted for all other years of study. These too will be communicated to you, initially in general way, and then by the Executive Deans of your faculties. Thereafter, you will receive more detailed information from your schools and departments to give you a better idea of the way ahead. Students will also have input into the new faculty-specific plan.
Apart from the University’s new academic recovery plan, a resource recovery support plan is being developed to ensure that all supporting mechanisms are in place to try to make it possible for all our students to complete their studies.
Given the logistical challenges associated with using alternative teaching and assessment methods, we shall need your support and that of the extended NMMU community to make it possible for you to fulfill your dreams of graduating or progressing to the next level.
While our planning continues, the University continues with the official mediation process ordered by the High Court, and to engage with the student leadership to bring an end to the present on-campus violence and disruptions.
Without detracting from NMMU’s particular unhappy experiences of the past week and the many challenges it still faces, I believe it wise for us to remember that this is a national crisis. Our University is one of 26 severely affected by the free education for all campaign. As such, universities across the country are joining hands to find ways of jointly serving students in what has been a tumultuous year in the higher education sector.
Our apologies once again for angst that this turmoil is causing you. Please know that NMMU is going to do all that it can to make this happen and asks for your continued perseverance, courage and resilience in completing the year, albeit it in a less-than-ideal situation.
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- South African Artist MARTHINUS Releases Debut Single - 6 November 2026
- MARTHINUS Releases Heartfelt Debut ‘i miss us not trying’ - 6 November 2026
- LaserWeeder Hire Runs Laser Units for SA Vegetable Growers - 6 November 2026
- HandPrinter Art Runs Linocut Workshops and Beginner Kits - 6 November 2026
- Feature Equipment Adds AM.CO.ZA Tooling and Laser Spares Shelf - 6 November 2026
