After nearly three weeks of deliberation between the management of Stellenbosch University (SU) and student leaders, the implementation of the user fee for the night shuttle service has been suspended indefinitely.
Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for the university, released a statement on Friday which stated that management will work with student leaders to secure alternative funding that will ensure the sustainability of the service.
This follows a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday against the proposed R9 tariff fee which operates within a 6 km radius from the Neelsie.
The protest, of approximately 150 students, began at the Van Der Sterr building in Victoria Street and made its way down to Admin B. Students were planning to deliver a memorandum to management which was drafted earlier that week by various student leaders following two emergency meetings held on February 24 and 25.
One of their main concerns was the lack of consultation regarding the implementation of the tariff fee.
Students protesting in Victoria Street. PHOTO: Courtney Williams.
“The Peoples Movement”, was led by two instrumental figures in the build-up to the march. Zizo Vokwana, SASCO chairperson, and Xolani Smith, EFFSC convener, called for student leaders from various affiliated bodies and structures of the university to mobilise their respective constituencies.
The two students said that their political affiliations had nothing to do with the matter but rather that they are “just normal students at the forefront in the peoples movement”.
“We are rejecting the R9 tariff fee and we can’t allow management to implement this, as students we need to stand in solidarity to protect those who are financially excluded”, said Vokwana.
Management did not meet with the protestors. Instead, Dean of Students Tonia Overmeyer and Student Governance Manager Anele Mdepa were sent to accept the memorandum on behalf of management.
Zizo Vokwana holds the memorandum drafted by student leaders outside Admin B. PHOTO: Courtney Williams.
Carli Van Wyk, SRC chairperson, said in an interview earlier this week that a mandate was set out by the SRC “to have these communities and stakeholders in a meeting with management and not just the SRC, so that students can be fully represented and allow for shared responsibility.”
At the bi-weekly rectorate meeting on Thursday night, the SRC had an open discussion with students. Van Wyk said that “after engaging with students and shuttle users the SRC had a constructive meeting with the rectorate and management to get the shuttle fee suspended. We will continue with consultation with students and work on finding alternative funding.”
In his statement Viljoen said that “at the meeting the University Management offered to work with the SRC and other student leaders to explore equitable funding options to ensure the best solution for a long-term sustainable service.
During the initial pilot phase of the SU evening shuttle, the service operated free of charge in collaboration with taxi operators and private service providers in support of local entrepreneurs.
“The planned implementation of an evening shuttle fee was contested by the SRC and student groups after the announcement of the R9,00 fee per trip applicable from 1 March 2019 (and later postponed to 8 March), despite full concessions to students who need financial support. SU offered full concessions to NSFAS bursary holders, as well as to students in the ‘missing middle’ who receive SU financial aid (i.e. students who are assessed to have a joint annual household income of R600 000 or below). This reflected SU’s equitable approach whereby those who can afford are expected to pay for a service and those who cannot, are fully supported.
“This principle of user-pay (with financial support where needed) and the relationship with private transport service providers in Stellenbosch remain important factors in the University’s overall fiscal discipline and stakeholder engagement. The continuation of the fee-free evening shuttle will entail finding equitable funding sources, and ensuring that it does not have a negative impact on local community relations.”
Nomzamo Ntombela (left) with Dean of Students Tonia Overmeyer (right) outside of Admin B. They stand in front of Xolani Smith (EFFSC convener) and Anele Mdepa (Student Governance). PHOTO: Courtney Williams.