SAPTU urges all political parties with student representation to keep in mind the primary purpose – to further learning – at tertiary institutions when trying to resolve various issues.
The Student Council of the EFF gave the management of the North-West University on the Mafikeng campus a “final chance” to resolve capacity issues, mandatory vaccination and access to campus by Friday 11 February 2022 or face a complete shutdown of the campus.
Some staff fear for their safety and considered staying at home today due to this ultimatum.
SAPTU (South African Parastatal and Tertiary Institutions Union) has consistently held that disagreements should be handled through negotiation and not the threat of violence.
“We agree with President Ramaphosa that the present situation of deep poverty, unemployment and inequality is unacceptable and unsustainable,” says Adv Ben van der Walt, the general secretary of SAPTU. “Education is one of the most crucial ways to deal with these pressing issues. We want to echo the president’s words during his State of the Nation speech: Let us create conditions for long-lasting stability and development. Let us get to work.”