Dozens of supporters, including motorcyclists, sang and danced outside the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court where Fees Must Fall activist Mcebo Dlamini briefly appeared.
Addressing supporters, the student leader assured them that he would not be deterred by the delays that have dogged his case since 2016.
"I understand that we are fighting a system," said Dlamini.
"We are now dismantling the chains. We are doing what Mandela and our parents should have done – we are shaking the system."
Dlamini's trial is set to commence on April 9 next year and last three days.