By Mpumzi Mshweshwe:
Students are planning to embark on strike at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice main campus today (Tuesday) to protest in demand of an increase in their residence allowance of 4% and additional laptops ahead of the upcoming first semester examinations. As the UFH approaches its examination season most students are without important study materials such as laptops that should be supplied by the university. Almost all first-year students at Fort Hare have no laptops as it is alleged that the university has not allocated laptops to any student.
UFH students have issued a statement outlining the reasons for their planned protest. “Tomorrow there will be a strike to demand these needs: distribution of laptops, and distribution of private accommodation allowance within a period of one week by force, because on 22 May exams are commencing,” the statement said.
One student, who requested to remain anonymous in fear of reprisals, expressed disappointment with how the university authorities have treated them. “By 2023 the private accommodation allowance was R4500, and from that they (UFH) took the R200 and gave students R4300.
The students at the Qwaqwa campus have had their allowances restored to the R4500, which made the Alice students feel targeted and alienated as their allowances were not returned to the original amount. Some students were forced to buy laptops with money meant for their book allowance, as they could not afford to be without laptops for the upcoming exams.
The students feel desperate and the strike was seen a way to increase the pressure to make the institution listen and meet the students demands. Not having laptops is seen as an issue that will affect the students’ ability to study and with the stress of the inadequate residence fees given to students for the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
“If we strike, they will feel the pressure, because it is not like there is no money, NSFAS did send the money, but the university is hiding how much NSFAS has sent. Because we don’t have money for rent, we find it hard to focus on studies as this is stressing us out. This coming month is examination month, and we need to enter this period with all the necessary tools and materials we need to do well,” the student said.
The Student Representative Council has been accused of not aiding the students in their strife against the university. The planned protest is set to take place on the April 29, with the threat of classes being stopped by the protesting students until their demands are met. The university has been contacted for comment but could not be reached. This is a developing story. – @NewsSA_Online.
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