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I recall sitting among 700 - 800 students at UFS during the early days of FMF.
On stage was a presentation on "maximum" goals of the struggle. Some said, "we don't want to hear about maximum goals".
The problem that day was NSFAS had not responded to students 1/12
On stage was a presentation on "maximum" goals of the struggle. Some said, "we don't want to hear about maximum goals".
The problem that day was NSFAS had not responded to students 1/12
So, attention shifted to what we should do about NSFAS. Proposals were raised. We agreed to disrupt classes, gain momentum etc.
That day, UFS allowed students to register provisionally - that means is a student can register now but they will be removed later. Awful system. 2/
That day, UFS allowed students to register provisionally - that means is a student can register now but they will be removed later. Awful system. 2/
So, what students did in their masses was register provisionally. The following day, less than 50 of us showed up to protest.
The protest was over. A few months later, hundreds of students faced deregistration. At least some successfully got NSFAS. 3/
The protest was over. A few months later, hundreds of students faced deregistration. At least some successfully got NSFAS. 3/
Now the fight shifted to those who were provisionally registered, to remain permanent. Again, we agreed to disrupt classes, build momentum etc.
The first day, we rallied over 200 hundred students up until a night vigil of about 100 of us.
We agreed to return in the morning 4/
The first day, we rallied over 200 hundred students up until a night vigil of about 100 of us.
We agreed to return in the morning 4/
That morning, there were 20 of us who gathered. The hundreds of the previous day did not return.
Some tried to disrupt the busses and halt an exam. There were dozens of police offices and vehicles waiting for us at that exam venue.
They descended on us rapidly. 5/
Some tried to disrupt the busses and halt an exam. There were dozens of police offices and vehicles waiting for us at that exam venue.
They descended on us rapidly. 5/
It was quick. People screamed. The leaders all ran first. Some tried to pretend they weren't among the protesters. But they knew us all. They chased us. A third of the group was arrested then and there.
The protest ended -- again. We now focused on bail money and court 6/
The protest ended -- again. We now focused on bail money and court 6/
Some students were able to remain registered. Some were removed. But those that remained had a large amount of debt by the end of the year and could not register the next year.
Morale was low. Some asked "why are we being arrested for students that don't even show up?" 7/
Morale was low. Some asked "why are we being arrested for students that don't even show up?" 7/
Year-end, I became Chief Editor at the newspaper there at UFS. So, now I was covering the movement, not participating in the same way.
I realised there was no maximum goal here. It was moving around in the dark. Disrupting classes was becoming unpopular. Students lost faith 8/
I realised there was no maximum goal here. It was moving around in the dark. Disrupting classes was becoming unpopular. Students lost faith 8/
Some new ideas emerged around various issues. Community patrols. Food kitchens. But just as we were to launch them, an incident happened and protests broke out again.
Those protests lasted 2 days and then stopped. We never started the food kitchens. 9/
Those protests lasted 2 days and then stopped. We never started the food kitchens. 9/
I became disillusioned about student politics. We needed to commit ourselves to long-term goals. What are we going to do about student accommodation? About hunger? About safety? About fees? There did not seem to be a plan.
It was tough times then and now. 10/
It was tough times then and now. 10/
But I am hopeful. If enough students see that doing the same thing over and again does not build a movement, we can start organising around different ideas.
UFS now has a vegetable garden. We are pushing to open these community kitchens. We're starting to plan. 11/
UFS now has a vegetable garden. We are pushing to open these community kitchens. We're starting to plan. 11/
It's not clear how many are committed to these revolutionary politics. But, I think we know that "maximum goals" are crucial. Otherwise, we keep returning to the first position -- and we never move forward.
The spirits are there and so is the suffering. So is the struggle. /12
The spirits are there and so is the suffering. So is the struggle. /12
