#FeesMustFall was the largest protest movement that our
country has ever witnessed. The protest movement is said to have initially
started at the University of Witwatersrand, later on spread all over
universities in South Africa. I personally supported Fees Must Fall because it
was for a worthy cause which benefited all underprivileged; privileged, South
African and international students who study at any South African university.
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| Newspaper shows university fee increases. Image source: Google Images
Let me clearly state this to everyone reading my blog;
the fees did not fall, only the annual interest increment for tuition fees for
the year 2016 fell. Fees Must Fall was good for students but a nightmare for Blade Ndzimande and his PR team. The Minister of Higher Education and Training
did not listen to us as students and his PR team did not have a strategic plan
to nip this movement in the bud before it becomes a national crises. I
recommend that all public relations practitioners should be proactive and
vigilant in the organisations that they work for. The government should put
more money in education than any other department.Public relations
practitioners must try to predict or foresee situations that might cause damage
or harm an organisation or brand making it not to reach its objectives; in this
case the PR team of Blade Ndzimande should have anticipated Fees Must Fall and
should have advised him wisely to avoid a national shut down of universities.
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I further suggest
that if you are a public relations practitioner and your brand or company (in
this case the government/university) is under fire, the masses are against you;
do what the masses want and you shall win them again. The disadvantage here is
that in the public relations industry you cannot control social media and you
cannot control everyone but there is an advantage you can submit, come clean,
admit and apologize. The moral of the story here is to do what people/students
want you to do (lower your fees asinamali(we don’t have money).
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| Students marching for #FeesMustFall. Image source: Google Images
In the wise words of the outspoken rapper like the name
of this blog, Kanye said “Listen to the kids bro.” Translation: Listen to the
students. All universities must lower their fees, make them affordable for everyone unless they want #FeesMustFall2TheReturnOnSteroids.
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I truly agree with the fact that Blade's PR team should have forseen the sutuation before it go out of hand, and advised him to take make a wiser decision. I also feel that fees should fall too. I like how you're opinionated, nice one.
ReplyDeleteI truly agree with the fact that Blade's PR team should have forseen the sutuation before it go out of hand, and advised him to take make a wiser decision. I also feel that fees should fall too. I like how you're opinionated, nice one.
ReplyDeleteSuch an insighful blog to read. I am very proud of the youth of today.
ReplyDeleteDikeledi thank you very much it makes me happy to know that we as students share a common goal of affordable or free education and as aspiring PRPs we were able to pin point the mistake made by the government, Blades PR team and the universities. Mphakiseng thank you so much that motivates me and the youth of South Africa.
ReplyDeleteI truly agree with you saying that they should put more money in education, education is very important, they are basically investing in our future and giving more children the platform to fulfil their dreams , your blog is nicely put.
ReplyDeleteThembeka it is good to know that you understood my point. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI personally think it is unfair that the tertiary institutions have a percentage increase on student fees every year. I support the #FeesMustFall movement and think that the students should have gone as far as protesting against a percentage decrease on the current fees instead of settling for annual interest increment
ReplyDeleteYes but we settled for zero percent fee increment for 2016 in 2015 and that was because it was during exam time and a lot of students were busy studying so they couldn't participate much in #FEESMUSTFALL. I dare them to increase the fees for 2017, they will reap what they sow.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you're saying. Universities must drop their fees to a certain amount that is affordable. But we can't blame Blade, school fees increase every year, including creche, primary and high school. It is just that university fees were being increased by a huge sum of money.
ReplyDeleteWell I am blaming him because he is the minister of Higher Education and Training he should have advised the minister of finance that his department will have a short fall and will require more money to fund underprivileged students. It is not an exception that all school fees go up every year, in 1994 our parents voted for free and affordable quality education.
ReplyDeleteis it possible for all of us to get free education or we are going to protest up until Jesus comes back #FeesMustFall.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible for underprivileged students who come from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to receive free education but those who can afford must pay. This can be done step by step.
ReplyDeleteI agree, more money should be invested in the education department, I mean what about the underprivileged students, doesn't everyone deserve education? These students fought for what they know they deserve.
ReplyDeleteYes everyone deserves and has the right to education.
ReplyDeleteI personally supported this movement, university fees are too high for an ordinary or average South African. The government must make them affordable for those who can afford and free for those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree with you.
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