Opinion / Columnist
Fort Hare students did not blast President Mugabe
24 May 2016 at 10:25hrs | Views
It is quite misleading that a local tabloid can publish unsubstantiated information that the University of Fort Hare students had blasted Presidents Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Jacob Zuma of South Africa. It had come as an oversimplification for a rather complex issue to say that the students blasted President Mugabe; otherwise it would have been better to say that they blasted President Zuma if at least they had succeeded in their endeavour to present their grievances.
The facts gleaned from the South African press revealed that the University of Fort Hare students who failed to secure residence on campus wanted to be paid allowances as they had no money and they wanted to be addressed by their President Jacob Zuma pertaining to their welfare on campus. The students claimed that the university management had not met all of their demands.
Students who did not live in residences on campus wanted to receive allowances for accommodation and transport before the end of the first semester. The real thing is that this colorful anniversary was slightly marred by the student protests. The students who wanted to disrupt President Zuma's address picketed outside the hall singing. However police maintained a heavy presence and ensured that the programme proceeded without any challenges.
What was reported by the hostile media was the anti-thesis of reality to say that the students blasted President Mugabe. Instead the head of state received a standing ovation as he received a hero's welcome. President Mugabe saluted the University of Fort Hare describing it as the institution of anti-colonialism. The university is identified with the evils of colonialism; and this galvanized our commitment to fight against all forms of oppression.
It was at the University of Fort Hare where President Mugabe was born academically and where he discovered his African identity and African personality. We have to identify ourselves with this institute of higher learning where most African leaders were educated. President Mugabe hailed Fort Hare's legacy of producing great leaders not only in the country but Africa as a whole.
It is quite interesting to note that the institution had produced five heads of state, a remarkable achievement. The university has helped us a lot as there are many graduates in this country who passed through this institution under the Presidential Scholarship scheme. In fact we should glorify President Mugabe for establishing and supporting the programme.
The facts gleaned from the South African press revealed that the University of Fort Hare students who failed to secure residence on campus wanted to be paid allowances as they had no money and they wanted to be addressed by their President Jacob Zuma pertaining to their welfare on campus. The students claimed that the university management had not met all of their demands.
Students who did not live in residences on campus wanted to receive allowances for accommodation and transport before the end of the first semester. The real thing is that this colorful anniversary was slightly marred by the student protests. The students who wanted to disrupt President Zuma's address picketed outside the hall singing. However police maintained a heavy presence and ensured that the programme proceeded without any challenges.
What was reported by the hostile media was the anti-thesis of reality to say that the students blasted President Mugabe. Instead the head of state received a standing ovation as he received a hero's welcome. President Mugabe saluted the University of Fort Hare describing it as the institution of anti-colonialism. The university is identified with the evils of colonialism; and this galvanized our commitment to fight against all forms of oppression.
It was at the University of Fort Hare where President Mugabe was born academically and where he discovered his African identity and African personality. We have to identify ourselves with this institute of higher learning where most African leaders were educated. President Mugabe hailed Fort Hare's legacy of producing great leaders not only in the country but Africa as a whole.
It is quite interesting to note that the institution had produced five heads of state, a remarkable achievement. The university has helped us a lot as there are many graduates in this country who passed through this institution under the Presidential Scholarship scheme. In fact we should glorify President Mugabe for establishing and supporting the programme.
Source - Stewart Murewa
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