Duane Petrus
A task team has been formed to address issues raised by students during a protest at the Glen Agricultural College outside Bloemfontein last Friday. This task team comprises college management from the department of agriculture and rural development, as well as student representatives. “The task team will subsequently draw up a programme with a time frame to address the concerns of the students,” says Moliehi Tlhobelo, the department’s spokesperson.
Students protested against alleged poor living conditions in the hostel, a lecturer who is not attending classes regularly, renovations at their library, review policies, farm practicals and postponement of their educational trips. “We are often told we cannot do our praticals because there is no petrol to take us to where these practicals should take place, but then we see staff constantly driving up and down with the cars,” says Kabelo Mapuwa, a student at the college. The strike action was reportedly initiated as a result of “expired food” being served the previous day and students feeling they can’t continue to consume the food anymore.
“We are tired of being fed expired food. They once served us old vetkoek and chakalaka,” says Mapuwa.
Mimiki Qabathe, MEC for the department, met with the students during a private meeting on Friday to discuss the issues raised.
MEC Qabathe acknowledged the concerns of the students and indicated that some matters require immediate attention while others are challenges that need time, such as looking into the standing policies and a vigorous process to amend those policies which may hinder the development and progress of the students. Qabathe, management of the department and student representatives went on a tour around the campus to see and validate the grievances. Meetings between these parties are currently underway, but the department did not state when a response from the task team can be expected.
duane@centralmediagroup.co.za
