To be a rebel with a cause or a rebel without a cause? That is the question. We’re all familiar with stories about freedom fighters picking up arms and battling an unjust system that was designed to undermine a certain class of people. But we seemingly tend to focus on the achievements more and less on the sacrifices these individuals had to make while enduring their fair share of suffering. This article is merely touching on different aspects of being a so-called ‘martyr’… so don’t get sentimental yet.
The fees must fall movement came in late 2015 and brought the country to a notable standstill with tertiary students protesting, in the streets, and burning everything in sight. Free education and more government involvement, where education is concerned, was the main objective. How could I forget the de-colonisation of our education system?
The aftermath of these protests, however, left a bitter taste in the mouths of poor students who were merely requesting a subsidy. Cops were called and certain students ended up hugging the steel bars of a jail cell. All of this was due to public violence of course and a plethora of charges that were added by the state.
4 years down the line the said #FeesMustFall activists are still left with these charges hanging over their heads. Former Wits SRC Mcebo Dlamini and final year DUT student Bonginkosi Khanyile are still appearing in court for their participation in the protests. Kanya Cekeshe, however, is already serving his 5 year sentence and was recently denied bail and leave to appeal the conviction.
The bravery and determination to fight for what these guys believe in has to be admired and cannot go unnoticed. If the day does come when South Africa introduces free education we’ll be compelled to acknowledge the chosen few who decided to stand up for not just themselves but their counterparts as well.
