DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, MR. MDUDUZI MANANA, MP WILL NO LONGER PARTICIPATE IN THE NIGHT VIGIL SCHEDULED TO INTENSIFY THE CALL FOR THE REMOVAL OF RHODES STATUE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN, UPPER CAMPUS, WESTERN CAPE

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana, MP, will no longer participate in the night vigil scheduled to take place on the eve of the University of Cape Town's Council Meeting on Wednesday 08 April 2015. The council meeting is expected to take a decision in relation to the call by students who have been advocating for the removal of the statue of Cecil John Rhodes from the university precinct. 

The initial participation of the Deputy Minister was informed by the fact that the call for the removal of the statue was a move by students of all racial groups at the University of Cape Town whose main intention was to initiate an honest and robust debate on transformation of institutions of higher learning in South Africa. The debate about symbols, such as statues and names, is relevant and necessary especially during this current epoch as it will help us reshape our painful past and restore the dignity of the majority who were oppressed by the colonial and apartheid rule. It is therefore appreciated when it is students who are driving the transformation agenda in our institutions of higher learning. 

There has been substantive evidence of non-partisan activism from amongst various student formations heeding the call for the removal of the statue and other apartheid legacy symbols. The Deputy Minister says 'I have, however, been advised that in pursuit of such a noble endeavor; there are others who wish to use the occasion and the unfolding events in this moment of our history for other political reasons which will, in effect, defeat the purpose of the collaborated effort by students. As indicative in previous correspondences from the ministry, this is a noble struggle which we support but so should we have respect for process and at all time strive towards using proper enabling instruments to pursue our struggles'.

The Deputy Minister will await the decision of the council meeting, with the hope that whatever decision they take, is in line with the tenets of our democracy as well as seek to redress the legacy of apartheid. 

'I further call for an incident free demonstration and vigil no matter what the decision of council may be' says Deputy Minister.

Statement issued by Sibusiso R Mlangeni, Ministry of Higher Education and Training, April 6 2015

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