Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has called for dialogue between students and university management following disruptions at CPUT.
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has condemned the destruction of university infrastructure during student protests, warning that campuses cannot continue resorting to damaging buildings when disputes between students and management break down.
His warning comes as the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) prepares to resume classes on September 14 following disruptions that forced the government to send a delegation to the institution.
Manamela welcomed an agreement reached between parties at CPUT but said he remained deeply concerned about threats against university infrastructure, including an attempted arson attack.
“What I really want to say with regard to what happened at CPUT is, of course, I applaud the parties for having gotten together and reached an agreement, but I’m quite worried that when we are not happy with what’s happening on campus, the first victim is things that don’t talk back, like the buildings,” Manamela said.
