Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - ANC Youth League (ANCYL) national conference convenor Fikile Mbalula told higher education minister "to make it happen" for students.
Presenting the national task team's overview, Mbalula urged Nzimande to move speedily in resolving issues affecting students.
"Blade Ndimande must move with the necessary speed. He must intervene in addressing challenges relating to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) ; he must address the intransigent management of universities that don’t want to transform - the time of smiling with these institutions is over."
"Make it happen Blade, support the students," he said.
Mbalula was presenting his report at the first day of the Youth League’s 25th National Congress at the Gallagher Conference Centre in Midrand on Friday.
He called on members to celebrate government’s achievements since 1994.
On matters of education, health, water and social grants, Mbalula said the government had performed better than most governments around the world.
"Whilst a paltry R150m was granted for bursaries in 1994, today over R8bn is awarded in bursaries."
Mbalula touched on opposition parties "that have won the hearts of students".
"All this Mickey Mouse politics happening at institutions like Fort Hare University is because of NSFSAS and our failure to address issues affecting students.
"If our government and ministers are moving slow in addressing these issues, then comrades, do not be afraid to... lead the marches and urge government to move faster.
"The ANC is advocating for free and compulsory education. If we are not advocating for these issues, then new political parties are going to claim this struggle is theirs.
"The ANCYL and students organisation must work together with young people… Don’t be obsessed with issues of sleeping with a management that does not transform, forget about the cars of the [Student Representative Councils]. It is just a vehicle provided for one year. You will get another car once you have graduated," Mbalula said.
