University student protests hit South Africa from mid-October, continuing the “Rhodes must fall” struggle at the University of Cape Town earlier in the year.  These revolts were reminiscent of those in Kenya (2014), Chile (2011-2013) Canada (2012) and most recently in the UK. The neo-liberal capitalist agenda is systematically driving wider layers of societies across the globe to resist the unrelenting attacks on their physical survival and future well-being. A most progressive aspect of the SA students’ revolt was the accompanying issue of outsourcing of university workers’ jobs being highlighted – especially at Witwatersrand University and UCT. Workers and students marched together with a common purpose: to find redress on the issue of university fees, privatisation of education and outsourcing of jobs. The demands for eradication of outsourcing and for decent wages were clearly articulated and gained wide support from the rest of society. Many student formations, for once, collaborated and rallied around a common cause and set of objectives.

The responses of the ruling elite were predictable: the old tired arguments of lack of funds and an underperforming economy took centre stage. The mainstream media ensured that parliamentary parties and the ANC youth formations like the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) received blanket news coverage. Formations like the October 6 Movement and the UCT worker-student forum were hardly heard in news broadcasts. The Union Building meeting of 24/10/2015 saw so-called student representatives from SASCO meeting with cabinet and university administrators. They did not even bother to report back to the mass of students who gathered at the venue, instead leaving it to Jacob Zuma to present his version of the outcome of the meeting. The constitutional rights to freedom of movement and association counted for little in instances where students endeavoured to occupy spaces (like parliament) where they rightfully should be allowed to raise their demands. Clearly the gulf between our rulers and those who they claim to represent is widening. The road ahead is bound to be one of government and university bosses plotting on how to find ways for “the user must pay” principle to continue to be applied.

University students have legitimate expectations insofar as their present and future roles in society are concerned. They are rightfully demanding that the inter-generational educational problems they are facing be addressed and solved. Their political naiveté, however, still makes them cling to the hollow promise of the ANC government that “the doors of learning and culture shall be opened” as enscribed in the fallacious Freedom Charter. Progressive and critical political thinking by, and involvement of students has clearly become an important requirement of the time. As it is, there are hundreds of thousands of graduates currently walking the street. Many of the present university students will undoubtedly end up joining their ranks. Their futures are therefore inextricably linked up with their working class and peasantry families who suffer from landlessness, unemployment, underemployment, homelessness and the like. It is imperative that they make common organisational cause with trade unions, worker committees, left radical political organisations and political forums like the Democratic Left Front and United Front. The times call for a heightening in levels of radical political thinking in students’ ranks.