Academic activities at the University of Venda have been suspended due to student protest over meal and book grants that have not been paid to some of the students.
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| University of Venda students on a protest. Picture (Supplied) |
Thohoyandou – The university in Thohoyandou in Limpopo has the majority of poor and disadvantaged students who depend on the National Students Financial Aid for tuition and meal grants.
Students have blocked the entrance to the University in what they call the #225 Movement, and the police are firing rubber bullets and tear gas to protesting students.
The strike which started on Sunday night has affected lectures on Monday and Tuesday, with student leaders saying the strike action will continue until their demands are met.
Students are also demanding the completion of the abandoned student residences to address the current accommodation challenge at the University. Some students are forced to rent part of accommodation to their fellow students who in return pay them with food or money.
UNIVEN spokesperson Takalani Dzaga told Capricorn News that NSFAS has made a promise that students will receive their allowances on Tuesday, however it is alleged that only a certain number of students have received their grants.
University of Venda students took to the streets in 2017 against the failure of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to release living allowances and approve appeals for student funding on time.
Some students even took to Twitter to express how the non-disbursement of allowances has affected them.
With/without media coverage we will continue striking for food and book alowances.@myNSFAS and @Univenofficial these 2 institutions are failling the disadvantaged and marginalised students @tumisole @eNCA @CapricornFM @FloydShivambu @ButiManamela #NoSbuxNoClasses#UnivenStrike pic.twitter.com/6OC36epvpj— Sweet_Korobela (@PhutiBarcled) March 6, 2018
By: Thembisile Maluleke
