Pretoria: The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has assured students at Free State and Fort Hare Universities that the department, the universities, and police are working to protect students and staff. Efforts are also underway to reopen Fort Hare University following violent protests at the Eastern Cape-based university, which caused damages estimated between R300 and R500 million.

According to South African Government News Agency, Minister Manamela emphasized the priority of resuming the academic program within the next week. After a productive meeting with the university, he directed the University Council and management to implement necessary measures to reopen the institution and allow teaching and learning to continue. This includes temporary online modalities where required, ensuring that students can complete their studies safely.

Manamela condemned the violence at the University of Fort Hare, describing it as criminal. He stated that the destruction and violence at the university are deeply tragic, emphasizing that a university should be a space of learning, hope, and progress. The intimidation of staff and disruption of teaching and learning cannot be justified, he said, and such actions undermine the dreams of young people who view education as their only chance for a better life.

The Minister acknowledged challenges that need to be addressed by the institution’s leadership. He asked the University Council to reflect on critical issues, including governance and leadership, the role of the Student Representative Council, and concerns about the Vice Chancellor’s contract and insourcing of workers, which are believed to have triggered the protest.

Regarding the University of Free State, where protests have also erupted, the Minister mentioned that 17 students have been arrested, including two who attempted to throw a petrol bomb in a security cubicle. He distinguished between student protests and criminal activities, emphasizing the need to address the issues systemically.

Manamela stressed that security responses alone will not suffice. He pointed out that some violence is related to seeing institutions as business enterprises for infrastructure and services. The focus should be on returning universities to their primary purpose as places of learning and teaching.