Paul Saad's Photostream

Considering the turmoil faced by a number of universities in South Africa at the moment, it is very clear for all to see that the current university model has become completely unaffordable to the vast majority.

Sending a child to university costs somewhere in the region of R10 000.00 per month after Tax. In broad terms, fees are about R 5000.00 per month and then budget at least another R5 000.00 for transport, residence costs and living expenses. That relates to R120 000.00 per year after tax. Let’s put that into perspective. If a family earns R 1 million per year, less tax they have about R 600 000.00 left of which 20% must now go to university fees. That relates to a huge portion of total income and has to come out of the “disposable” part of income. Who has that much disposable income these days? It’s financially distressing to say the least. More than one child and that puts university at a new level of unaffordability, so I am honestly not surprised there is an uprising going on. What is surprising is that it didn’t happen earlier. Less than 1% of the population can afford it.

Why then to we continue with the same traditional business model for universities when in it is so unsustainable?

cropproject.com/ - "We are a creative collective who believe in the power of collaboration, art and photography to not only disrupt, but to empower and promote positive change." - Wheatpaste on the wall taken during #feesmustfall# protest at the University of The Witwatersrand (WITS) by Jan Bornman with student activist Mcebo Dlamini in the foreground.

The young lady by the name Dimpho Kelly took to facebook to share a picture of The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande. In the picture the minister is seen taking a bath if we can even call it that. The picture’s caption read, “that’s our Minister Of Higher Education and Training, he was just wiping himself off after one of our many sessions. I asked him if is going to do anything about the situation here at Wits and he rudely replied me by saying ‘shut up bitc#’, i was so offended i took this picture because i knew no one would believe me if i didn’t have proof and he didn’t even notice. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THE GOVERMENT IS FUCKING US OVER, LITERALLY. AND THEY DON’T EVEN CARE, That’s they shooting us. He called me a bitc# for asking about the current situation at Wits about #FeesMustFall.”

The Facebook post quickly gained momentum as many people started liking it, sharing it and even downloaded it. Dimpho’s facebook page has since been deleted.

Warten Weg © 2016

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Academic march to Bremner to protest police occupation on campus at UCT

University students across the country embarked on a #FeesMustFall Campaign against 10.5% fee increases. The students marched outside the Union buildings on 23 Ocotober 2015 were President Zuma announced that there were won't be any fee increase in Universities next year.

Students burn tyres as part of the #FeesMustFall and #EndOutsourcing protests

#FeesMustFall Student protests outside the UCT Sports Centre

protesting from the 'grand parade' cape town cbd to the main hall of cput on the grounds of the previous District Six the pack of mostly peaceful students assembled and gained momentum. they chanted and sang protest songs from the apartheid years. demanded to see a representative from cput named 'prince'. after being addressed by a student representative wearing a red t-shirt and a red cap and more chanting the cput representative Prins Nevhutalu appeared. he tried in vain to address them and predictably was boo-ed and then the catapulting of projectiles started. initially lovely smelling orange/naartjie peels that soon turned ugly as water bottles with water were hurled. i was on the podium and all of us had to duck and dive behind concrete columns. prins nevhutalu removed himself quickly off the scene accompanied by a bulky body guard dressed in black. quite a few very agitated students scaled the podium barrier and attempted to follow. as far as i know nobody got hurt. a lot sweated.

UCT student fee riots. silent protest and student solidarity. propaganda posters. UCT hiddingh campus, orange street, cape town

via Instagram ift.tt/2jNKIA3

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Durban 23/10/15, student protest against increase in student fees

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

University students across the country embarked on a #FeesMustFall Campaign against 10.5% fee increases. The students marched outside the Union buildings on 23 Ocotober 2015 were President Zuma announced that there were won't be any fee increase in Universities next year.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

Mass meeting on Jammie Plaza,University of Cape Town Upper Campus on 22 October 2015.

protesting from the 'grand parade' cape town cbd to the main hall of cput on the grounds of the previous District Six the pack of mostly peaceful students assembled and gained momentum. they chanted and sang protest songs from the apartheid years. demanded to see a representative from cput named 'prince'. after being addressed by a student representative wearing a red t-shirt and a red cap and more chanting the cput representative Prins Nevhutalu appeared. he tried in vain to address them and predictably was boo-ed and then the catapulting of projectiles started. initially lovely smelling orange/naartjie peels that soon turned ugly as water bottles with water were hurled. i was on the podium and all of us had to duck and dive behind concrete columns. prins nevhutalu removed himself quickly off the scene accompanied by a bulky body guard dressed in black. quite a few very agitated students scaled the podium barrier and attempted to follow. as far as i know nobody got hurt. a lot sweated.

Durban 23/10/15, student protest against increase in student fees

Durban 23/10/15, student protest against increase in student fees

University students across the country embarked on a #FeesMustFall Campaign against 10.5% fee increases. The students marched outside the Union buildings on 23 Ocotober 2015 were President Zuma announced that there were won't be any fee increase in Universities next year.

Durban 23/10/15, student protest against increase in student fees