27: Policing Protest

Professor Jane Duncan of the University of Johannesburg, discusses the various ways in which protest has been 'policed' at university campuses around South Africa. From interdicts and suspensions to the deployment of private security and police units, Duncan explains why students have started to feel unsafe and, in some cases, under attack. This conversation explores how all stakeholders in higher education have to take responsibility for their roles in escalating protest and work together to find solutions to the ongoing fees crisis. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/288950039" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] We also chat to some students about how they feel about the presence and involvement of police on campus. Read about The Daily Vox interview with Prof Duncan: How securitisation of campuses has increased violence at universities Download the Right2Know campaign’s guide on the Right to Protest Learn more about Prof Duncan's latest […]

The Academic Citizen 19 October 2016

Podcast

24: Wits SRC Speaks

In our special episode for this week, the incoming President of the Student Representative Council, Kefentse Mkhari, joins the podcast to discuss the wave of national protests against the current fee system. Mkhari explains the demand of the #FeesMustFall movement: free, quality and decolonised education. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/285390466" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] We also address the recent violence during protest, the referendum called by Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib and the way forward for the Wits University community. Photo Credit: Aaisha Dadi Patel Disclaimer: In this interview Mr Mkhari makes two allegations, which we checked out. The first is that the academic calendar for 2016 had been “contracted” in such a way as to disadvantage students. We checked the 2016 calendar against the 2015 calendar, and found that it had not been shortened as he alleged. The second allegation was that VC Adam […]

The Academic Citizen 30 September 2016

Podcast

22: The Commission of Inquiry into HE

Professor Hlonipha Mokoena joins The Academic Citizen to discuss the fees and funding debates regarding higher education in South Africa. Mokoena explains the work of eight-member Wits Panel that delivered a report titled 'Funding Model(s) for Higher Education in South Africa' to the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training, chaired by Justice Heher. Some of the the proposed solutions include re-defining the concept of 'fees' and drawing on corporate, government and university revenues in order to fund higher education. The panel also included Professors Roger Gibson, Laetitia Rispel, Christopher Malikane, David Hornsby, Cathi Albertyn, Mtendeweka Mhango and Dr Nthatisi Khatleli. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/283942890" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] We also chat to some students about the work of the panel and the funding crisis in South Africa’s higher education sector. Download the full report. Photo credit: Francois Swanepoel

The Academic Citizen 21 September 2016

Podcast

13: Student Politics Now

The President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Cape Town, Rorisang Moseli, addresses the state of student politics in South Africa today and shares his views on protest, transformation and the student experience in South Africa's public universities. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/273474828" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photo by Schalk Van Zuydam

The Academic Citizen 13 July 2016

Podcast

3: Is Fee-Free Education Possible?

The #FeesMustFall movement ushered calls for transformation within higher education in South Africa, with fee-free education at the forefront. Dick Forslund explains why and how fee-free education can be made possible. The Academic Citizen also gathers some student voices on how they are impacted by fees. Read further on Dick's views by following the links below: The political budget crisis and alternatives to austerity, Part One The political budget crisis and alternatives to austerity, Part Two [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/261150494" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photo by Mike Hutchings

The Academic Citizen 27 April 2016

Podcast

2: One Student Explains Why #FeesMustFall

The #FeesMustFall movement that emerged in October 2015 has changed the face of student participation within spaces of higher education, with protests breaking out at major universities all over South Africa. Join The Academic Citizen as we explore Shibu Motimele's view on why Fees Must Fall. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/260039934" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photo by Paul Saad

The Academic Citizen 20 April 2016

Podcast

1: Higher Education During Apartheid

Let's explore the historical background to fees-payable higher education in South Africa. We talk to Leigh-Ann Naidoo about the distribution of resources during Apartheid, and hear from some students about their parents' experiences. At the basis of this issue is this right to education for all, which is enshrined in the Constitution. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258788137" params="color=ff5500" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photo by David Hanson.

The Academic Citizen 13 April 2016

FeesMustFall