Wits General Assembly called off as protesting students refuse to compromise
Wits university has announced that the General Assembly planned to be held on Friday has been postponed, as it could not reach consensus with protesting students who refuse to compromise until the government guarantees free education.
Wits management this week cancelled its academic activities amid violent student protests taking place on campus.
According to the university, it then dedicated all its resources to building consensus with the community to be able to continue the academic programme from Monday, 10 October.
“We had reached consensus with all university constituencies, including Council, Senate, Convocation, labour and staff – but not with the protesting students,” it said.
“Despite all our attempts and energetic engagement of former Black Student Society and SRC leaders, the mediation process with the protesting students was unsuccessful.”
Wits said that a General Assembly could only be called when consensus was reached; with students refusing to commit to the academic programme kicking off from Monday, no Assembly can take place.
The university also noted that without buy-in from the protesters, the personal safety of those in attendance could not be guaranteed.
Wits has warned that if classes do not resume on Monday, the rest of the academic year is at risk, which will have significant consequences for students, the university and society at large.
If the university shuts down, so too will the residences, effectively forcing students out onto the streets; students will not be able to complete their studies and graduate; and businesses will lose out on having a fresh wave of graduates entering the workplace. All of these things hold financial consequences for all involved.
According to Wits, protesting students want to march on the Constitutional Court, and want universities to shut down until the government delivers free education to all.
Government, universities and other stakeholders have repeatedly told students that, while the call for free education for all is a noble one, it is not practical for all – though is and should continue to be available for the poor – and that processes take time to implement.
Students, meanwhile, have said this is not enough and demand free education now.
More on protests
Black student’s message to whites: if there is going to be blood, it won’t be ours
Students cause Wits to close again until Monday
Wits vice-chancellor to students: ‘Why are you still protesting?’
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