The University of the Witwatersrand SRC on Tuesday said it rejected the 8% fee increase and would mobilise students to protest against it in January.<\/p>\n
“We obviously need to challenge the 8% increase as it will deny access to students,” Student Representative Council president Kefentse Mkhari said.<\/p>\n
“What guarantee is there that those currently studying here, who already have student debt, will be able to return to study next year, with an 8% increase?”<\/p>\n
He said the university\u2019s decision to announce the increase on Monday had been “tactical”, as most students had already gone home.<\/p>\n
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande announced on September 19 that universities could determine their own fee increases for 2017, but that they could not exceed 8%.<\/p>\n
Students from households with an annual income of up to R600,000 would not have to pay the increases.<\/p>\n
Legislation should be used to force corporate South Africa to help fund free education, Mkhari said.<\/p>\n
“We understand that government is ultimately responsible for free education. The university is but a small fish in the pond. It is our collective duty as students to put pressure on government to realise free education. We should go door-to-door to make people understand.”<\/p>\n
The university said on Monday that it was providing financial help for 22 000 out of 37 000 students. It was facing a R56.5 million deficit, despite the 8% fee increase.<\/p>\n
“It is unsustainable to continue with a 0% increase. The insourcing that will start from the first of January already costs the university an additional R100 million to R120 million,” spokesperson Shirona Patel said.<\/p>\n
“We tried our best to cut non-academic budgets such as support services.”<\/p>\n