Pretoria – The meeting between President Jacob Zuma and student leaders, vice-chancellors and chairpersons of university councils is underway at the Union Buildings.
President Zuma is meeting stakeholders in the education sector to discuss the stalemate with regards to university fee increases.
Thousands of students have marched towards the seat of government to protest against fee increases for next year.
Government Ministers present at the meeting include Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande, his Deputy Mduduzi Manana, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and Social Security Minister David Mahlobo.
The students are represented by various student movements and political formations including the South African Students Congress (SASCO), Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC), Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO) and South African Democratic Students Movement (SADESMO).
Vice-chancellors from the country’s universities including Vice-Chancellor of the University of Witwatersrand, Professor Adam Habib Habbib, where the initial protests began.
The protests this week migrated to institutions across the country.
The President has said that government fully understands the pressure and difficulties students coming from poor households and the working class face with regards to high university fees.
“It is important that we work together to find solutions. Nobody disagrees with the message that students from poor households are facing financial difficulties and possible exclusion,” he said on Thursday. – SAnews.gov.za
