DA submits memorandum to end Fort Hare exploitation of NSFAS students

29 April 2015

Note to editors: The following remarks were delivered by Yusuf Cassim MP in his capacity as Interim Leader of the DA Youth today, Wednesday, while handing over a memorandum to the University on behalf of NSFAS students who are without meal allowances.

Students of Fort Hare, today we tell Vice-Chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom, that his partisan politics and his clampdown on NSFAS students will not be tolerated any longer.

The petition we handed over today was signed by over one thousand six hundred students, and it demands change, accountability and the immediate payment of NSFAS food allowances.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom knows that a DASO SRC would put a stop to University exploitation of NSFAS students.

That is why on Tuesday, at a rally with Deputy President Ramaphosa, Dr Tom campaigned for SASCO’s success in the SRC elections. 

As Vice-Chancellor of Fort Hare, Dr Tom should display absolute impartiality. Yet the DA is in possession of a recording of him shouting the words “Viva SASCO”, praising the formation of an ANC youth branch on campus, and encouraging students to vote for SASCO in the SRC election.

The fact is Dr Tom is frantically campaigning for SASCO so that he can prevent DASO from winning control of the Fort Hare SRC and exposing his clampdown on NSFAS students.

Fort Hare has unilaterally raised NSFAS student fees and residence costs year on year, so that NSFAS students today cannot afford textbooks or food.

Residence costs have been pushed up by 33% for NSFAS students since 2013 even though the properties have become increasingly squalid and neglected.

NSFAS students are forced to use their monthly food funding to pay these inflated residence costs. And no additional food allowances have been paid for this entire academic year.

Fort Hare is cashing in on NSFAS funding from government, while students go hungry every day.

Under Dr Mvuyo Tom, Fort Hare is becoming a parasitic university taking from its poorest students to fund its operations.

Yet operationally, it is a mess – R6 million was lost by the Residence Office alone through maladministration. While students go hungry, the University is wasting their money.

Yesterday Deputy President Ramaphosa came to this University, on the eve of an SRC election, and promised to assist students who are without food allowances.

Mr Ramaphosa made this promise to a crowd of students who his body guards and protectors had to round up from across campus because no crowd was awaiting him.

His undelivered promises from his last visit in 2014 no doubt kept students away from hearing new empty promises. In 2014 Mr Ramaphosa made promises to NSFAS students that have not been acted on at all. Yesterday’s promises were no more concrete than the last.

Mr Ramaphosa happily shared the stage with Dr Mvuyo Tom, as the Vice-Chancellor campaigned for SASCO.

The conditions of NSFAS students at Fort Hare are unacceptable, and the DA demands that change be implemented.

For a start, Dr Mvuyo Tom must go! Residence costs must be reviewed! Residences must be upgraded from their squalid state! Food allowances must be paid!

This is what DASO has demanded in our petition, signed by over one thousand six hundred students, delivered to the University today.

DASO will continue to fight for the students of Fort Hare University.

Issued by the DA, April 29 2015