Nzimande uses education for yet another political stunt

20 January 2015

AfriForum Youth said that the creation of an "Academic Alliance" by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, is yet another political stunt which merely serves as a smoke screen to justify one-sided policy directions. No minority group has been invited to participate in the discussions.

Henk Maree, the National Chairperson of AfriForum Youth, said that "Nzimande's so-called ‘wide variety of stakeholders' comprise a handful branches of the ANC and distant family members of government officials".

Nzimande indicated that the Alliance was created to consider and understand the expectations of different stakeholders in Higher Education.

AfriForum Youth sent a letter to the Minister in which they request a meeting. Maree said that "if Nzimande is really interested in all stakeholders' expectations, he will respond appropriately and AfriForum Youth is eager to share their thoughts with the Minister".

The Minister often argues that diversity is king and that institutions must be accessible, but it seems that the government is more accessible to some than to others.

Nzimande invited, among others, the following organisations:

ANC

COSATU

SACP

NEHAWU

SASCO

HETN

ANCYL

YCLSA

SAUS

Statement issued by Henk Maree, National Chairperson: AfriForum Youth, January 20 2015

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