FeesMustFall

FeesMustFall
Name	FeesMustFall
Date	2015-2016
Location	South Africa
Causes	University of Cape Town tuition fees, student debt
Goals	Free higher education in South Africa
Methods	Protest, demonstration, occupation
Status	Ongoing

FeesMustFall was a student-led protest movement that began in South Africa in 2015, with the primary goal of opposing tuition fees at University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, and other institutions of higher education in the country. The movement drew inspiration from the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Soweto Uprising, and involved key figures such as Julius Malema, Mmusi Maimane, and Blade Nzimande. The protests were also influenced by the Marikana massacre and the Rhodes Must Fall movement, which aimed to remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes from the University of Cape Town campus.

Introduction

The FeesMustFall movement was characterized by widespread protests, demonstrations, and occupations of university campuses, including the University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, and Stellenbosch University. The movement was supported by various organizations, including the Economic Freedom Fighters, the African National Congress Youth League, and the South African Students Congress. Key figures such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela were also invoked during the protests, which drew parallels with the Sharpeville massacre and the State of Emergency in South Africa. The movement also involved international solidarity, with protests held at universities such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Harvard University.

Background

The FeesMustFall movement was rooted in the country's history of apartheid and the ongoing struggles of black South Africans to access quality education. The movement drew on the legacy of Steve Biko, Chris Hani, and other anti-apartheid activists who fought for social justice and equality. The protests were also influenced by the Freedom Charter, which called for free and compulsory education for all South Africans. The movement involved key institutions such as the University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of the Western Cape, and the Tshwane University of Technology, which were at the forefront of the protests.

Protests_and_Demands

The FeesMustFall protests involved a range of demands, including the abolition of tuition fees, the provision of free higher education for all, and the decolonization of university curricula. The movement also called for an end to outsourcing and the privatization of university services, as well as the demilitarization of university campuses. Key figures such as Zwelinzima Vavi, Irvin Jim, and Bonginkosi Khanyile played a prominent role in the protests, which involved organizations such as the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the Congress of South African Trade Unions. The protests also drew on the legacy of the United Democratic Front and the Mass Democratic Movement, which fought against apartheid and for democracy in South Africa.

Government_Response

The government response to the FeesMustFall protests was marked by police brutality and the use of force to suppress the protests. The government also established a commission of inquiry to investigate the protests and the demands of the students. Key figures such as Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa, and Blade Nzimande played a role in the government's response to the protests, which involved institutions such as the Department of Higher Education and Training and the South African Police Service. The government also drew on the legacy of the State Security Agency and the National Intelligence Agency to monitor and suppress the protests.

Impact_and_Legacy

The FeesMustFall movement had a significant impact on the higher education landscape in South Africa, with the government eventually agreeing to provide free higher education for poor and working-class students. The movement also led to a re-evaluation of the role of universities in South African society and the need for decolonization and transformation. Key figures such as Naledi Pandor, Susan Shabangu, and Bathabile Dlamini played a role in the government's response to the protests, which involved institutions such as the University of South Africa and the Council for Higher Education. The movement also drew on the legacy of the African Renaissance and the New Partnership for Africa's Development, which aimed to promote African unity and development.

Timeline_of_Events

The FeesMustFall protests began in October 2015, with students at the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Cape Town protesting against tuition fees. The protests quickly spread to other universities, including the University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, and Stellenbosch University. Key events in the timeline of the protests included the #FeesMustFall march on Union Buildings in Pretoria, the #FeesMustFall occupation of the University of Cape Town campus, and the #FeesMustFall summit held at the University of the Witwatersrand. The protests involved organizations such as the South African National Civic Organisation and the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, and drew on the legacy of the Bantustans and the homelands system in South Africa. The movement also involved international solidarity, with protests held at universities such as University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, and New York University.

Category:Protests in South Africa