Its devastating to listen to radio show after radio show, TV news, newspapers ect discussing TUT, NOT the content of the student grievances, but the acts of vandalism that have characterized it. No matter how unpopular this may make us, but these acts have been self defeating. When we engage in protest action, we do so in order to channel focus of the institution, government and society on our grievances. Inevitable when we vandalize student property, we divert attention from our genuine struggles (content) to the acts (form). This clearly works against our interests. Militancy is not anarchy and vigilantism. How does burning a graduation/examination hall help us to achieve our struggles. How does getting students arrested for arson help us achieve our goals. Lest we become enemies of the students. Correctly, many in society have condemned the vandalism and student leaders. This surely will drive a wedge between the students and their leaders including their organization. The majority of students do not want to associate with such acts, some do so because they fear victimization. Today its sad that less is being said by us about the genuine struggles, we are forced to condemn acts that were unnecessary and counter productive. In fact burning and destroying property of students is reactionary, its counter-revolutionary. Yes, there are cases where students are provoked. As cadres we need not fall to the traps set up for us by institutions. We must be conscious enough to foresee the implications of our action. What have we achieved? 1) Clouding of our genuine grievances 2) Alienation from society 3) Risk of massive arrest & victimization of our leaders 4) Universities getting away with murder 5) Wedge between our leaders and students 6) Dangers to the image of our organization. So what should we do? We need to do the necessary political work as activists. 1) Mobilization of students 2) Propagating through constant communication with students 3) Education of our members to raise levels of consciousness 4) Active participation in strategic governance platform, Council, Senate, IF, Faculty Boards, School Boards 5) Deployment of capable cadres strategically 6) Ensuring that we have tactical relations with managers, exploit these for the benefit of students. The list is endless, however the point is that we cannot take short cuts. If we are not honest with ourselves we will end up with a weak organization or no organization at all. We must protect student property, it is there to serve us. Lets not allow institutions to get away with murder. Lets hold them accountable, and we need society on our side, not against us. Students First, SASCO to the Front! My mind has failed to reconcile the fact that TUT management would return NSFAS monies when there are so many needy and deserving students. This is tells a sad story of insensitive managers who dont care about poor students. The arrogance of the Vice Chancellor is of unprecedented proportions. She has disregard for students, unions and even council. How can you as a VC refuse to meet student leadership for a whole year? Our institutions do not belong to VCs they belong to the people.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 05:53:32 +0000
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