Protests at Nelson Mandela University

Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
As college students a smooth transition is always important for success in continuing education. For the majority of 2019 students have been protesting the processes of getting the aid they need to be successful. According to the South African Student Council (SASCO), "some people have not been registered for this academic year because of financial problems, while others have failed to get accommodations." 

Protests broke out during the first semester of 2019. Protesters virtually shut down campus for several days, practically barring students from entering the campus. During this first semester Nelson Mandela University had canceled lectures for several days to organize a way for students to attend classes. The college ended up having multiple students arrested and using police to help disband protesters. This is showing that the students that are attending and want to attend this university genuinely care about moving forward with their education, and the school is not doing what it needs to help its citizens. 
Protesters at Nelson Mandela University

These problems are being blamed on the financial aid department at the university. This is turning something great, a growth in people seeking an education in a country whose higher education rate has grown over 100% in the last 25 years(WENR). Now nearly 20% of South Africa's budget is spent on education. This to me is showing that the increased spending on education could potentially bring good results for the entire country of South Africa. 

This caught my attention because just as a college student knowing that people are not getting the help they need to try to better their lives can be frustrating. But for me this has been a personal matter. I plan on attending Nelson Mandela University for a semester to study zoology. So this has obviously been pretty nerve racking, but I think that everything will sort itself out in time so I can continue my studies there.


Sources:

“Education in South Africa.” WENR, 17 Dec. 2018, wenr.wes.org/2017/05/education-south-africa.

Chirume, Joseph. “Protesters Shut down Nelson Mandela University.” GroundUp News, 8 Mar. 2019, www.groundup.org.za/article/protesters-shut-down-nelson-mandela-university/.

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