As Zuma agrees to no fee increase, police and students clash in Pretoria and Cape Town

From Pretoria to East London, from Cape Town to Stellenbosch, and even in London, students and their supporters demanded a zero percent increase to fees. But while most of the protests were peaceful, at UWC and Pretoria protesters and police clashed.

GroundUp Staff

News | 23 October 2015

We are putting our bodies on the line, say students at Ashley Kriel Memorial

Students will shut down universities until there is agreement on a 0% fee increase next year, representatives of student organisations said in Cape Town last night.

GroundUp staff

News | 23 October 2015

Lessons from the student protests of the 1980s

Activist Mandy Sanger, who was part of student-led opposition to apartheid through the Committee of 81 in Cape Town, delivered the annual Ashley Kriel memorial lecture sponsored by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation and the University of the Western Cape last night. Here is a brief extract from her speech.

Mandy Sanger

Opinion | 23 October 2015

Black advocates tell court they object to ‘racist sting’

This morning, in the silicosis class action, black advocates requested the opportunity to address the court regarding remarks made by a member of one of the legal teams. Approximately 150 black advocates, mostly women, were at court in solidarity with the statement. According to John Stephens, a lawyer with SECTION27, leaders of each legal team "undertook to address the entrenched patterns of racial exclusion in the profession."

Advocates for transformation

Opinion | 23 October 2015

Masiphumelele: no way in or out

Clashes between police and residents have once again erupted in Masiphumelele.

GroundUp Staff

Brief | 23 October 2015

Lawyers in black and white: Spoor vs Boqwana

The recent furore over the lawyers in the huge silicosis court case focused on race, but the real issue is how lawyers advance the cause of justice, argue Pasika Nontshiza and John Clarke.

Pasika Nontshiza and John GI Clarke

Opinion | 23 October 2015

Silicosis case: mines are being obstructive, say miners’ lawyers

If the court did not decide in favour of the gold miners in the silicosis case, hundreds of thousands of sick miners and their families would not be heard, advocates for the mineworkers told the Gauteng High Court yesterday.

Pete Lewis

News | 23 October 2015

Statement in solidarity with South African student protesters

Over 800 students and student groups from 200 international institutions have signed a statement of support for the #FeesMustFall protesters.

Over 800 signatories

Opinion | 23 October 2015