A student strike over the high cost of tertiary education disrupted access to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and divided attention on social media.<\/p>\n
Traffic around the campus was at a standstill as most gates to it remained locked on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n
Queen Doro Boss \u200f@MissMadiba tweeted: \u201cCurrent situation at Wits. No cars can come in or out!! #WitsFeesMustFall #WitsFees\u201d.<\/p>\n
Some used the hashtag to voice their support of the protest.<\/p>\n
Andrea Jekkels \u200f@andreajekkels said: \u201cThis fee increase is so ridiculous I stand together in this fight against the increase #WitsFeesMustFall\u201d\u201a while Tebogo Mphane \u200f@tebogomphane weighed in with: \u201cNon-Wits student in full support of #WitsFeesMustFall\u201d.<\/p>\n
Many\u201a however\u201a questioned the timing of the student strike.<\/p>\n
Kagiso Rampou \u200f@Kagiso_Pou asked: \u201cStrategies and Tactics RT@aneh_leh: Why do students always conveniently strike right before exams? #WitsFeesMustFall\u201d\u201a as did OG Mapakisha;) @Fleur_Inconnue: \u201cI’m all for #WitsFeesMustFall and so on but the reality is that we have exams in three weeks…The timing is just so off.\u201d<\/p>\n
MensHallsOfResidence \u200f@MensResRaider understood the doubters\u2019 concerns\u201a but encouraged them to look to the future: \u201cWe know we have exams to study for but what is the use if you won’t afford returning to wits next year?? #ShutDownWits #WitsFeesMustFall\u201d.<\/p>\n
Some reports said the tuition fees are set to increase 10% for 2016.<\/p>\n
The protest comes just days after President Jacob Zuma\u2019s establishment of \u201ca task team to address funding challenges at tertiary institutions\u201d on Monday got the nod from Parliament\u2019s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training.<\/p>\n
Zuma\u2019s announcement followed what the Presidency described as a \u201cvery fruitful and historical meeting with vice-chancellors and the leadership of all universities in South Africa\u201d last week.<\/p>\n
The task team would\u201a the Presidency said\u201a be \u201cmade up of officials from the Department of Higher Education and Training\u201a the Presidency\u201a the National Student Financial Aid Scheme\u201a two vice-chancellors representing the leadership of universities\u201a two student representatives as well as other higher education stakeholders\u201a to explore solutions to short-term student funding challenges\u201d.<\/p>\n
Portfolio committee chairperson Yvonne Phosa said on Monday that the task team would also address the violence that has spread to many campuses in the country.<\/p>\n
Zuma last week pleaded: \u201cWhile these processes are underway\u201a students need to be brought on board for frank and honest discussions so as to ensure that they do not resort to violence and destruction of property\u201a which can only lead to their further suffering and deprivation.\u201d<\/p>\n