“Apparently, there are rumours of multiple student accommodations, but only one person seems to be benefiting from the tenders.”
Students at Esayidi TVET College (Kokstad campus) are facing accusations of attempting to disrupt the ongoing exams at the campus. This development comes after the learners staged a protest last week, taking to the streets and visiting the police station to apply for a peaceful march. However, according to the learners, their application was denied due to a 14-day waiting period for the application process.
In response to the tense situation, the campus manager and student representative council (SASCO) on Tuesday the 18 of February were forced to call in the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure that learners who wished to write their exams could do so peacefully.
According to the Student Representative Council (SRC) chairperson Mandilakhe Bera, the initial issue was related to the student accommodation, specifically the residence (referred to as “the res”). However, the situation escalated due to a misunderstanding. “Some students felt forced into signing up for the residence, leading to the spread of misinformation” he said. The chairperson noted that the issue was further complicated by other concerns. Some students complained about not receiving their results due to outstanding fees, while others were unable to register for the new academic year because of significant debt.
The SASCO further explained that, the controversy surrounding the student accommodation stems from a misunderstanding. The central manager had briefly mentioned that first-year students would be accommodated in a residence, but the chairperson believes that the students misinterpreted this information due to a lack of clarity. The chairperson stated that the students began spreading misinformation, claiming they didn’t want the residence accommodation. Instead, they demanded application forms to take to their landlords, who would then quote a rent amount. The students would then submit the forms back to the school. He also acknowledged that attempts were made to explain the situation to the students, but some refused to listen, insisting on their preferred accommodation arrangement.
The campus manager told this publication that, the students grievances centre around the introduction of new student accommodation, which is being facilitated by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Previously, the TVET college did not offer student accommodation.
The campus manager explained that the college is holding onto the application forms for the accommodation because NSFAS has not yet allocated the budget for this initiative. She emphasized that distributing the forms prematurely could lead to confusion and unrealistic expectations among students regarding the accommodation rates. The campus manager acknowledged the students dissatisfaction but clarified that the college is waiting for NSFAS to finalize the budget allocation before proceeding with the application process. “With regards to the SAPS presence aimed to maintain order and allow the exams to proceed without disruption,” said the campus manager.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Regional Secretary in Harry Gwala Zukisani Ntshangase has joined forces with the disgruntled Esayidi TVET Collage (Kokstad Campus) students, pledging to help them get their application for a peaceful march approved. This is after students failed attempt to get their application approved. The EFF has raised concerns about secret meetings on campus involving politicians and questioned the ownership of the building or site earmarked for student accommodation. “Apparently, there are rumours of multiple student accommodations, but only one person seems to be benefiting from the tenders,” said Ntshangase.
The EFF is asking why this individual always gets the big tenders from the municipality. They’re also questioning the involvement of this person, despite not being certain about their role. Regarding the students application for a peaceful march, the EFF is puzzled as to why they’re being denied or told to wait 14 days. According to South African law, a notice form must be submitted to the local authority at least 7 days before the protest. The EFF is likely to challenge this decision and advocate for the students right to protest peacefully. EFF has reaffirmed their support for the learners at TVET College, while also ensuring that the protest doesn’t disrupt the learning process or exams.
They emphasized that all students, regardless of their political affiliations, will have access to education and will not be denied the opportunity to write their exams or attend classes. “EFF’s stance is centred around promoting a peaceful and inclusive environment, where students can express their grievances without compromising their academic pursuits. By facilitating a smooth protest process and ensuring that all students can participate in academic activities without hindrance, EFF aims to uphold the principles of equality and fairness,” he concluded. Concerned students expressed their frustration, alleging that they were forced into signing up for the ‘RES’ residence, despite some having no interest in staying there.
Furthermore, they accused the Student Representative Council (SRC) of siding with the campus manager and disregarding their concerns. One student lamented the denial of their application to hold a peaceful protest, feeling that their right to express themselves and voice their emotions to the public was being suppressed. The students vowed to continue pressuring the school management and those involved in the student accommodation initiative, citing suspicions about the municipality’s alleged involvement in the student accommodation.
They expressed confusion about the municipality’s role in this matter. I had the opportunity to speak with the GKM municipality’s speaker Bhekokwakhe Nozaza after noticing him attending a meeting with school representatives and leaders on campus. He clarified that his presence was as of an ANC deployee, not as a municipal representative, but welcomed being referred to as the speaker of the GKM municipality. Regarding the municipality’s involvement, he explained that their role began after the student grievances surfaced. He acknowledged that the students had misunderstood the information provided about the new student accommodation, referred to as “the res.” This accommodation is a novel initiative on the campus.
The speaker also mentioned that some students had not received their results, which added to the tensions. “To address the situation, a follow-up meeting is scheduled for the tomorrow the 19 of February, involving key stakeholders, including the central manager,” said Nozaza.
