FeesMustFall

The protests followed a threeday student lock-down of the University of the Witwatersrand campus the week before following an announcement by the university that fees would be increasing by 10.5% in the following year{{cite web|url=http://ewn.co.za/2015/10/17/Wits-University-suspends-10-point-5-percent-fee-hike|title=WITS UNIVERSITY SUSPENDS 10.5 PERCENT FEE HIKE|date=17 October 2015|publisher=Eye Witness News|access-date=22 October 2015}} despite an inflation rate of only around 6% for the same year. The university's chief financial officer stated that the cause of the high increase in fees was:

{{blockquote|1. The rand-dollar exchange rate has fallen by approximately 22%, which has resulted in a substantial increase in the amount of money that we pay for all library books, journals, electronic resources, research equipment that are procured in dollars and euros.

2. Salary increases for academics are set at 7% based on a three-year cycle and these increases are necessary to ensure that we retain the best intellectual minds in the country.

3. Generic inflation is hovering at around 6% which impacts on all other expenses that the University has to cover.

4. Utilities are increasing at rates substantially higher than the inflation rate.{{cite news | url=http://mg.co.za/article/2015-10-19-four-things-you-need-to-know-about-feesmustfall#.Vih8l2qxP0o.facebook | title=What you need to know about #FeesMustFall | newspaper=Mail and Guardian | date=19 October 2015 | access-date=22 October 2015 | author=Quintal, Genevieve}}}}

Although the focus of the protests was focused on a rise in fees a number of factors formed the background for the protests from a lack of funding for poorer students to attend university, high incomes for university managers,{{cite web | url=http://businesstech.co.za/news/general/101654/what-vice-chancellors-at-south-africas-top-universities-earn/ | title=What vice-chancellors at South Africa's top universities earn | publisher=Business Tech | date=20 October 2015 | access-date=22 October 2015}} a real decline in government funding for higher education,{{cite web | url=http://www.politicsweb.co.za/news-and-analysis/behind-the-university-funding-crisis | title=Behind the university funding crisis | publisher=Democratic Alliance | date=19 October 2015 | access-date=22 October 2015 | author=Belinda Bozzoli}} lack of social transformation, to broader socio-economic and racial inequality issues.{{cite web | url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-10-21-feesmustfall-political-failure-triggers-ticking-time-bomb/ | title=#FeesMustFall: Political failure triggers ticking time bomb | work=Daily Maverick | date=21 October 2015 | access-date=22 October 2015 | author=Munusamy, Ranjeni}}

The vice chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand Adam Habib estimated that if government could provide an extra R8 billion per year "that will cover the tuition fees of every student at every university in the country."{{cite web | url=http://ewn.co.za/2015/10/18/Fresh-tuition-talks-begin-at-Wits-today | title=FRESH TUITION TALKS BEGIN AT WITS TODAY | publisher=Eye Witness News | date=19 October 2015 | access-date=22 October 2015 |author1=Ziyanda Ngcobo |author2=Thando Kubheka |author3=Emily Corke }} South Africa spends 0.75% of its GDP on tertiary education which is less than the African or world average.{{cite news | url=http://www.news24.com/Columnists/MaxduPreez/Protesting-students-need-our-support-20151020?isapp=true | title=Protesting students need our support | work=News24 | date=20 October 2015 | access-date=22 October 2015 | author=du Preez, Max}}

The movements were started and led by the SRC leader of the University of the Witwatersrand of 2015, Shaeera Kalla.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}} On 2 October Kalla attended her last council meeting as SRC president, she is accompanied by incoming SRC president-elect, Nompendulo Mkhatshwa.{{Cite web|title=Protests grow over university fee hikes {{!}} eNCA|url=https://www.enca.com/south-africa/no-fee-increase-spread-other-varsities|access-date=23 October 2015|website=enca.com|archive-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130123518/https://www.enca.com/south-africa/no-fee-increase-spread-other-varsities|url-status=dead}}

Students at the University of Witwatersrand started protesting on 14 October 2015 in response to an announcement by the university that fees would be raised by 10.5%.{{Cite web|url=https://www.enca.com/south-africa/wits-fee-increase-suspended|title=Wits fee increase suspended|last=Sello|first=Lenyaro, Masete Baltty|website=enca.com|access-date=5 January 2017|archive-date=11 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511115050/https://www.enca.com/south-africa/wits-fee-increase-suspended|url-status=dead}} This led to a sit in and lock down of the university by students and some staff that, on 17 October, resulted in the university agreeing to suspend the fee increase and renegotiate it as well as not seek disciplinary action against participating students or staff members.{{cite web | url=http://ewn.co.za/2015/10/17/No-punishment-planned-for-protesting-Wits-students | title='NO PUNISHMENT PLANNED' FOR PROTESTING WITS STUDENTS | publisher=Eye Witness News | date=17 October 2015 | access-date=22 October 2015 | author=Masego Rahlaga}}

On Sunday 18 October messages started circulating on Facebook about a possible complete shut down of the Rhodes University campus.

By Monday 19 October fresh negotiations between students and the university had begun. On the same day similar protests had spread to the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University. On the same day management at the University of Cape Town -which had announced a 10.3% fee increase the week before- applied for and received a court interdict to prevent protests at the university. Students started blocking vehicle access by placing rocks, dustbins, and benches on the roads leading into the campus.

Students went ahead and led by the Rhodes Must Fall movement occupied the university's administration building.{{cite web | url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/uct-students-to-protest-over-fees-1.1931927 | title=UCT students to protest over fees | work=Cape Times | date=19 October 2015 | access-date=22 October 2015 | author=Carlo Petersen}} Riot police were called to forcibly evict the protesters with over 25 students being arrested late at night. Reportedly over a thousand students then gathered at the Rondebosch police station and held an all night vigil calling for the students' release.{{cite web | url=http://10and5.com/2015/10/20/imraan-christians-firsthand-account-of-the-feesmustfall-protest-at-uct/ | title=Imraan Christian's Firsthand Account of the #FeesMustFall Protest at UCT | publisher=10and5.com | date=20 October 2015 | access-date=23 October 2015 | author=Christian, Imraan}}

At Rhodes University students reportedly started barricading themselves into the university and forcibly turning away others from entering the campus. Students at the University of Pretoria reportedly initiated plans to lock down three of that university's campuses for Wednesday 21 October.

File:Second day of the FeesMustFall protests at the University of Cape Town 04.JPG

On Tuesday 20 October students assembled at the University of Cape Town and marched down to the local police station to demand that the students that were arrested the previous night be released. The Cape Peninsula University of Technology students started protesting and locked down the campus. At the Fort Hare University students also began protests and a campus lock down. They refused to disperse or write exams until university management had dealt with concerns over fee increases and issues of corruption.{{cite web | url=http://ewn.co.za/2015/10/20/Tensions-flare-at-CPUT-and-Fort-Hare-fee-protests | title=PROTESTS CONTINUE AT CPUT & FORT HARE, TENSIONS FLARE | publisher=Eye Witness News | date=20 October 2015 | access-date=23 October 2015 |author1=Xolani Koyana |author2=Masa Kekana }} Students at the University of Stellenbosch handed over a memorandum of grievances to university management outlining their complaints whilst students at Rhodes University continued their protests.{{cite web | url=http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/2322ba004a46d4b1a110fb6d39fe9e0c/More-police-arrests-as-student-protests-intensifies-20152010 | title=More police arrests as student protests intensify | publisher=South African Broadcasting Corporation | date=20 October 2015 | access-date=23 October 2015 |author1=Berenice Moss |author2=Lynne Arendse |author3=Jamaine Krige }} At the University of Witwatersrand students rejected a proposed compromise by the university to cap fee increases at 6% and instead demanded that there be no increase in fees.{{cite news | url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/LIVE-Students-continue-protest-over-university-fees-20151020 | title=Students reject 6% cap, Wits remains closed for the week – As it happened | work=News24 | date=20 October 2015 | access-date=23 October 2015}}

{{multiple image

| header = Protests at Parliament – 21 October

| direction = vertical

| width = 200

| align = right

| image1 = FeesMustFall protest outside parliament - entering Parliament.ogg

| caption1 = A video of the exact moment the #FeesMustFall protesters on entered the gates of the South African Parliament.

| image2 = FeesMustFall protest outside Parliament - Manhandled protestor.ogg

| caption2 = One of the protesters who entered the parliamentary grounds being manhandled by police as he is arrested.

| image3 = FeesMustFall protest outside Parliament - 21 October 2015.ogg

| caption3 = Demonstrators at the #FeesMustFall protest on 21 October 2015 outside the South African parliament in Cape Town, standing and singing the national anthem with their hands in the air and being dispersed by riot police.

}}

On Wednesday 21 October 2015 students from both the University of Cape Town as well as the Cape Peninsula University of Technology formed a crowd of around 5,000 protesters{{cite web | url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/riot-police-vs-student-power-1.1933836#.VikYJ_mqpBc | title=Riot police vs student power | publisher=IOL News | date=22 October 2015 | access-date=23 October 2015 | author=Political Bureau}} marched on the South African Parliament which coincided with the meeting of the National Assembly -with both Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and President Jacob Zuma in attendance- which was in session to hear the medium-term budget. Following the finance minister's address, Nzimande tried to address the crowd but was repeatedly booed by the crowd whilst President Zuma left the Parliamentary buildings from a side entrance. Other parliamentarians were advised by the speaker of the house to wait out the protests in their offices.

Protesters broke through the gates of the parliamentary precinct and began to stage a sit-in protest, but riot police soon moved in to disperse them using stun grenades, tasers, coloured gas, riot shields and truncheons. After the riot police had cleared the precinct of protesters and shut the gates, police warned protesters that they were contravening the National Key Points Act and that if they do not disperse with in 15 minutes, they will be arrested. The protesters did not leave, and police went ahead and arrested a number of them. It was claimed that protesters identified by police as particular troublemakers were arrested.{{cite web | url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-10-22-feesmustfall-the-day-parliament-became-a-war-zone/#.Vii6V_mqpBd | title=#FeesMustFall: The day Parliament became a war zone | work=Daily Maverick | date=22 October 2015 | access-date=22 October 2015 |author1=R Davis |author2=S Swingler |author3=M VD Merwe }} The presence of riot police was questioned by the press.

Mass meetings at Stellenbosch University were held on the same day to demonstrate against fee increases.

Protest action also started at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, when students blocked the main roads onto the Summerstrand campuses.{{cite web | url=http://news.nmmu.ac.za/News/Student-protests-at-NMMU-from-the-VC | title=Student protests at NMMU – from the VC | publisher=Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | date=21 October 2015 | access-date = 23 October 2015}} At least one altercation with the police took place when tear gas and rubber bullets were used to push students back onto campus.{{cite news |title=Thousands of students marched on South Africa's parliament ... |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2015/10/21/thousands-of-students-marched-on-the-gates-of-south-africas-parliament-today-heres-how-you-can-learn-more/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=8 October 2018}}

The University of Johannesburg experienced protests, during which an altercation between students and private security guards took place.{{cite web| url=http://ewn.co.za/Media/2015/10/22/Fess-must-fall-another-Protest-another-University |title=#FeesMustFall: Another Protest, another university |date=22 October 2015 |access-date=22 February 2016 |last1=Mogale |first1=Kgothatso }} Students at Fort Hare University lit bonfires at the university's entrance and vandalised the campus security offices.{{cite web | url=https://www.enca.com/south-africa/fort-hare-students-run-rampage | title=Fort Hare students run rampage | publisher=eNCA | date=22 October 2015 | access-date=23 October 2015 | archive-date=29 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629063340/https://www.enca.com/south-africa/fort-hare-students-run-rampage | url-status=dead }} In Johannesburg students marched on the ruling African National Congress's (ANC) headquarters at Luthuli House where students handed over a memorandum to ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe.{{cite web | url=http://www.rdm.co.za/politics/2015/10/22/thousands-of-students-march-on-anc-headquarters | title=Thousands of students march on ANC headquarters | work=Rand Daily Mail | date=22 October 2015 | access-date=23 October 2015}} Protests continued in Cape Town with students gathering at the central magistrates court to witness the court appearance of the 29 students arrested during protests outside Parliament the day before.{{Cite web|title = #FeesMustFall: Students and stun grenades occupy Cape Town's streets {{!}} Daily Maverick|url = http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-10-23-feesmustfall-students-and-stun-grenades-occupy-cape-towns-streets/|website = Daily Maverick|date = 22 October 2015|access-date = 23 October 2015}}

Despite assurances by NMMU management that classes would resume on 22 October 2015, protesters continued action. This included disruption of some classes that staff and students attempted to attend.{{cite web | url=http://news.nmmu.ac.za/News/NMMU-student-protests-update-from-the-vice-chanc | title=NMMU student protests – update from the vice-chancellor | publisher=Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | date=23 October 2015 | access-date = 23 October 2015}} A meeting was due to take place at a stadium on campus, but this was not attended by students, partly due to rumors on social media that there was a heavy police presence at the stadium.{{cite web|last1=Benyon|first1=Samantha|url=https://twitter.com/Qaqi_Beynon/status/657133610093383680|access-date=23 October 2015|ref=nmmuK9tweet|title=Sam Qaqamba Beynon on Twitter|website=Twitter}}{{Primary source inline|date=August 2018}}{{better source needed|date=October 2015|reason=Tweets are self-published and unverified.}} Students then insisted that Vice-Chancellor meet them where they had gathered, which he refused to do, citing safety concerns of a large number of people at that location. Following the meeting, students moved to block vehicle access to campus, which lasted until approximately 18:00, trapping some staff and students on campus.

In the United Kingdom a group of around 200 students gathered at Trafalgar Square in front of South Africa House to show support of protesting students in South Africa.{{cite web | url=http://ewn.co.za/2015/10/23/Students-gather-at-Trafalgar-Square-in-London | title=STUDENTS GATHER AT TRAFALGAR SQUARE IN LONDON | publisher=Eye Witness News | date=23 October 2015 | access-date=24 October 2015 | author=Vumani Mkhize}} A Cape Town daily newspaper, the Cape Argus, invited student co-editors to edit the day's edition of the newspaper. Articles were written, commissioned and edited by the students involved in the #FeesMustFall protest.{{Cite web|title = Cape Argus Friday 23 October edition|url = http://beta.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/feesmustfall-students-edit-cape-argus-1934323|website = Cape Argus|access-date = 23 October 2015}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Classes at NMMU were cancelled, and student protesters continued blocking entrances to campus. This was followed by a peaceful movement to another campus (2nd Avenue).{{cite web|last1=PE Herald|url=https://twitter.com/HeraldPE/status/657511457039458304|access-date=23 October 2015|title=The Herald PE on Twitter|website=Twitter}}{{Primary source inline|date=August 2018}}

During the morning university vice chancellors and student representatives met with President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria to negotiate a way forward. Whilst they were meeting, a large group of protesting students assembled outside the Union Buildings to await Zuma's response. A small group turned violent, setting fire to a portable toilet and breaking down fences. The police responded with tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets.{{Cite web|title=Victory for #FeesMustFall students amid dramatic protest at Union Buildings|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2015/10/23/Victory-for-FeesMustFall-students-amid-dramatic-protest-at-Union-Buildings|access-date=23 October 2015}} The students themselves called for discipline, stressing it was a peaceful protest.

Shortly after 3 pm, President Zuma announced from within the Union Buildings that there would be no increase in university fees in 2016.{{Cite web|title = #FeesHaveFallen: A big day in Pretoria, with a Zero outcome {{!}} Daily Maverick|url = http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-10-23-feeshavefallen-a-big-day-in-pretoria-with-a-zero-outcome/#.ViqG8BCrT_Q|website = Daily Maverick| date=23 October 2015 |access-date = 23 October 2015}}{{Cite web|title = Victory for #FeesMustFall students amid dramatic protest at Union Buildings|url = http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2015/10/23/Victory-for-FeesMustFall-students-amid-dramatic-protest-at-Union-Buildings|website = Times LIVE|access-date = 23 October 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Onishi|first1=Norimitsu|title=South Africa Freezes Tuition Fees After Student Protests|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/24/world/africa/south-africa-freezes-tuition-fees-after-student-protests.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news|access-date=23 October 2015|work=The New York Times|date=23 October 2015}} Whilst this was a major victory for the protest, protesters were upset that the president chose not to address them directly.{{Cite web|title=South Africa: #NationalShutDown: Live Blog – 23 October|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201510231236.html|access-date=23 October 2015}} A number of students tried to storm the Union Buildings demanding to address Zuma. Police responded with force, using rubber bullets. After being driven out of the Union Buildings, students continued to protest in the streets.{{Cite web|title=In their thousands, students of the #FeesMustFall campaign marched to the Union Buildings to have their demands heard |author=Bongani Nkosi |date=23 October 2015 |url=http://mg.co.za/article/2015-10-23-sas-students-take-on-union-buildings |access-date=23 October 2015}}

One consequence of the #FeesMustFall movement was the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training. President Jacob Zuma launched the commission's probe in January 2016, the reported goal being to report on the feasibility of providing free tertiary education.{{Cite web|url=http://www.politicsweb.co.za/news-and-analysis/commission-to-inquire-into-higher-education-fundin|title=Commission to inquire into Higher Education funding – The Presidency & ANALYSIS {{!}} Politicsweb|website=politicsweb.co.za|access-date=4 April 2017}}

The South African Department of Higher Education and Training calculated the damage caused to universities during the 2015 #FeesMustFall protests to R300 302 848.58, with the North West University's Mahikeng campus having suffered the most damage at R151m due to unrest that saw buildings torched, students shot at with rubber bullets and the university closing for a month.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/feesmustfall-damages-bill-r300-302-84858-2008936|title=#FeesMustFall damages bill: R10 {{!}} IOL|access-date=26 September 2016}}

In mid-August 2016, the Minister of Higher Education and Training was widely expected to announce fee structures for the 2017 academic year. This led to a revival of the fees must fall campaign under the hashtag #FeesMustFall2016.{{cite news|title=Fees Must Fall: Reloaded |author=Greg Nickleson |newspaper=Daily Maverick|date=12 August 2016| url=http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-01-12-fees-must-fall-reloaded |access-date=2 September 2016}}

Led by Honourable Justice Jonathan Heher, a former judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the Fees Commission began set 1 of the hearings. It included submissions and testimonies from student representatives and unions.{{Cite web|url=http://www.justice.gov.za/commissions/FeesHET/hearings.html|title=Fees Commission 2016|website=justice.gov.za|access-date=4 April 2017}}

The Council on Higher Education concluded that a 0% fee increase would be unsustainable and recommended an inflation-related increase for South Africa's universities in 2017.{{cite news|title=0% University fee increase will be unsustainable|url=http://ewn.co.za/2016/08/13/Council-on-Higher-Education-recommends-inflation-related-increase-for-universities |access-date=2 September 2016|newspaper=Eyewitness News |date=13 August 2016 |author=Dineo Bendile}}

Calls were made on social media for students to shut down universities on 15 August. These purportedly came from the South African Union of Students.{{cite web|title=SAUS call for campus shutdowns |website = Facebook|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1082903528429745&set=gm.606108132884617&type=3&theater |access-date=2 September 2016}}{{Primary source inline|date=August 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/5502f2004ddd19a1ad51bd1caade0c3d/Moreundefinedstudentundefinedfeesundefinedprotestsundefinedloom-20161408 |title=More student fees protests loom |access-date=2 September 2016 |newspaper=SABC News |author=Neo Makwiting |date=14 August 2016}}

Later in the day Minister for Higher Education, Blade Nzimande called for calm stating that no decision had (yet) been reached about fees. Meanwhile, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe reaffirmed the National Executive Committee's prevailing policy of no fee increases at South African universities.{{cite news|title=Calm down, fees aren't rising yet – Blade |agency=African News Agency |newspaper=The Citizen |date=14 August 2016 |access-date=2 September 2016 |url=http://www.citizen.co.za/1250834/calm-down-fees-arent-rising-yet-blade/}}

Protests at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Mangosuthu University of Technology over the purported fee increases lead to the suspension of the academic programmes at those universities.{{cite news|title=SA students close down two campuses, more to join, protesting fee increase| author=Xola Potelwa |date=15 August 2016 |access-date=2 September 2016 |agency=Bloomberg |url=http://www.biznews.com/briefs/2016/08/15/sa-students-close-down-two-campuses-more-to-join-protesting-fee-increase/}} Police were deployed to some other universities in anticipation of protests.{{cite news|url=http://www.thesouthafrican.com/saps-deployed-to-universities-in-preparation-for-feesmustfallreloaded/ |title=SAPS deployed to universities in preparation for #FeesMustFallReloaded |author=Ezra Claymore |newspaper=theSouthAfrican.com |date=15 August 2016 |access-date=2 September 2016}} Blade Nzimande reiterated that no decision had been reached over fees for 2017.{{cite news|title=South Africa: No Pronouncement On 2017 Varsity Fees |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201608150789.html |access-date=2 September 2016 |agency=AllAfrica.com |author=South African Government News Agency |date=15 August 2016}}

Protests broke out at Walter Sisulu University's iBika campus in Butterworth and Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha. Hundreds of students blocked the N2 in both towns and are reported to have thrown stones at vehicles. Police in Mthatha responded with teargas and several students were arrested in Butterworth.{{Cite news|url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/walter-sisulu-university-students-arrested-during-n2-protest-20160820|title=Walter Sisulu University students arrested during N2 protest |author=Jeanette Chabalala |date=20 August 2016| access-date=3 September 2016 |newspaper=News24}}{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201608190774.html |title=South Africa: Walter Sisulu Students Clash With Police During Fees Protest |agency=AllAfrica.com |access-date=3 September 2016| author=Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik}}

South African president Jacob Zuma instructs Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan to "find the money" to ensure a 0% increase in 2017. This came despite National Treasury's warning that this was unaffordable and Nzimande's earlier position that universities needed at least a 6% increase to avoid "collapse".{{cite news|title=#FeesMustFall: 'Find the money', says Zuma |author=S'thembile Cele |newspaper=City Press|location=South Africa |date=21 August 2016 |access-date=2 September 2016 |url=http://city-press.news24.com/News/feesmustfall-find-the-money-says-zuma-20160821}} The students conducted a feasibility study with an independent source and it was found that R60 Billion was lost in corruption annually and that free education at the same standard as it is paid (facilities, lectures etc.) would only cost R45 Billion annually.

23 August

During protests at the University of Witwatersrand a cleaner died as the result of an apparent asthma attack. A fire extinguisher was released in Jubilee Hall at the university campus. The cleaner was taken to hospital and discharged and treated. After discharge from hospital the worker died.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/wits-university-cleaner-dies-during-protests-20160926|title=Wits university cleaner dies during protests|date=2016-09-26|website=News24|language=en|access-date=2019-03-03}}

Pravin Gordhan is reported as saying that if corruption could be addressed, South Africa could afford to cover university fees for students from poor backgrounds.{{cite news|title=Stop corruption to help pay university fees, says Gordhan |author=Deneesha Pillay |newspaper=Sunday Times |url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/stnews/2016/08/25/WATCH-Stop-corruption-to-help-pay-university-fees-says-Gordhan |date=25 August 2016 |access-date=2 September 2016}} This came shortly after outgoing rector of the University of the Free State, Jonathan Jansen told a press conference that he believed that there was no hope for South African universities.{{cite news|title=No hope for SA universities, says Jansen |author=Deneesha Pillay |newspaper=Times Live|location=South Africa |date=26 August 2016 |access-date=29 October 2024 |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2016-08-26-no-hope-for-sa-universities-jansen/}}

A group of students disrupted the Fees commission hearing and blocked University of Cape Town (UCT) vice-chancellor Max Price from leaving the venue.{{Cite web|url=http://ewn.co.za/2016/09/06/Students-disrupt-Fees-Commission-hearing-block-Price-from-leaving,|title=Students disrupt Fees Commission hearing block Price from leaving|access-date=4 April 2017}} Protestors at the University of KwaZulu-Natal burn the Law Library at Howard College in Durban, including some rare early texts in Roman-Dutch law.{{cite news |title='Nazi-style' book burning roundly condemned - but protesters say incident masks a bigger problem |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/ukzn-south-africa-university-protests-nazistyle-library-book-burning-rape-brutality-a7230296.html |access-date=3 May 2021 |work=The Independent |date=7 September 2016 |language=en}}

The University of Cape Town suspended its academic project in anticipation of an announcement on the fees situation by Minister Nzimande.{{cite news|title=UCT suspended classes in anticipation of fees announcement – Price |author=Thulani Gqirana |newspaper=News24 |date=19 September 2016 |access-date=19 September 2016 |url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/uct-suspended-classes-in-anticipation-of-fees-announcement-price-20160919}}

At 11AM Blade Nzimande announced that university fees would increase in 2017, but increases would be capped at 8%. He emphasized that university councils would make the final decisions about fees. However he went on to say that the government was still engaging with stakeholders to come up with a way to provide financial assistance to students with annual family incomes of below R600,000.{{cite news|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2016-09-19-blade-nzimande-says-fees-can-go-up-but-not-beyond-8 |title=Blade Nzimande says fees can go up, but not beyond 8% |newspaper=Mail & Guardian |date=19 September 2016 |access-date=19 September 2016}}

As an immediate response, students at the University of Witwatersrand mobilised to shut down their campus, blockading entrances.{{cite news|url=http://ewn.co.za/2016/09/19/Wits-student-leaders-call-for-campus-shutdown |title=Wits student leaders call for campus shutdown |author=Ziyanda Ngcobo |newspaper=Eyewitness News |date=19 September 2016 |access-date=19 September 2016}} The protesters claimed that all protest would be peaceful; however, they turned to violence when vehemently denied entrance to the Great Hall by heavily armed riot police. Concrete objects were destroyed and pieces were thrown at security guards who were defending the hall. The students were demanding "free decolonized education for black people".{{cite web|title=Students planning to shut down the Wits university|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeO1pXzqr30|via=YouTube|access-date=21 September 2016|date=19 September 2016}} This was purportedly followed by students at University of the Free State and University of Pretoria.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/university-witwatersrand-student-protests-2015-timeline|title=University of Witwatersrand Student Protests 2015 Timeline|last=Leander|date=2016-03-14|website=South African History Online|language=en|access-date=2019-02-23}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/were-shutting-down-university-of-pretoria-feesmustfall-2078100|title=We're shutting down University of Pretoria: #FeesMustFall {{!}} Cape Times|website=iol.co.za|language=en|access-date=2019-02-23}}{{Cite web|url=https://ewn.co.za/2016/10/10/10-more-students-arrested-at-UFS-amid-FeesMustFall-protests|title=10 more students arrested at UFS amid #FeesMustFall protests|last=Chiloane|first=Mmatshepo|website=ewn.co.za|language=en|access-date=2019-02-23}}

On 10 October students at the University of Witwatersrand gathered at the Great Hall, an area on the campus. The students were denied access to the hall by private security. They were soon replaced by the South African Police Force. In order to disperse the protesters the police fired rubber bullets, stun grenades and smoke grenades. 2 students were injured and 11 were arrested by police (recorded at approximately 11:00). By the afternoon the students started throwing rocks. One bus was allegedly burnt by students, but no proof was found.{{Cite web|url=http://ewn.co.za/2016/10/10/Bus-set-alight-during-Wits-protests|title=#FeesMustFall protests turn violent, bus set alight in JHB CBD |last1=Ngcobo |first1=Ziyanda }} Students at the University of Pretoria picked up rocks and put them in bins as a sign of peace.

On 19 October two security guards were allegedly attacked on the University of Cape Town campus during a protest{{Cite web|url=https://www.politicsweb.co.za/news-and-analysis/fallist-dropped-rock-on-security-guards-head--uct|title=Fallist dropped rock on security guard's head - UCT - NEWS & ANALYSIS {{!}} Politicsweb|website=politicsweb.co.za|access-date=2019-03-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2016-10-19-protesters-attack-security-guard-at-uct/|title=Protesters attack security guard at UCT|website=sowetanlive.co.za|language=en|access-date=2019-03-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2016/10/20/hectic-video-shows-uct-security-guard-being-attacked-by-feesmustfall-protesters/|title=Hectic Video Shows UCT Security Guard Being Attacked By #FeesMustFall Protesters – 2oceansvibe.com|date=20 October 2016|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-03-03}} with video evidence published by a number of news sites. The guards were allegedly beaten with steel rods taped with masking tape and also beaten with their own batons while in another alleged incident a rock was allegedly dropped on a security guard's head, resulting in hospitalization of the security guard. On 25 October vehicles were set on fire by allegedly by protesters at the University of Cape Town.{{Cite news|url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/cars-torched-at-uct-campus-20161025|title=Cars torched at UCT campus|newspaper=News24|access-date=16 November 2016}} Later that year protestors disrupted the University of Cape Town's Convocation Annual General Meeting during which campus food stall owners alleged that Fees Must Fall protestors had threatened them with violence during the protests.{{Cite web|url=https://www.groundup.org.za/article/uct-convocation-descends-chaos/|title=UCT convocation descends into chaos|last=Geffen|first=Nathan|date=2016-12-16|website=GroundUp News|language=en|access-date=2019-09-30}}

The 2016 protests saw the movement lose momentum, due to alleged sabotage by the PYA (an alliance of the leading party, the ANC){{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailyvox.co.za/special-editorial-state-fees-must-fall-2016-edition/|title=Special editorial: the state of Fees Must Fall – 2016 edition – The Daily Vox|date=19 October 2016|newspaper=The Daily Vox|access-date=16 November 2016}} and internal divisions.{{Cite news|url=http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/ucts-maxwele-slammed-over-physical-altercation-with-female-wits-student-20160405|title=UCT's Maxwele slammed over physical altercation with female Wits student|newspaper=News24|access-date=16 November 2016}} In response to the protests the South African government increased the amount budgeted for higher education by R17-billion over 3 years and stated that government subsidies to universities would increase by 10.9% a year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2016/10/27/Wits-FeesMustFall-leader-says-Gordhan%E2%80%99s-doesn%E2%80%99t-%E2%80%98respond-to-the-question-at-hand%E2%80%99|title=Wits #FeesMustFall leader says Gordhan's doesn't 'respond to the question at hand'|last=Goba|first=Neo|website=Times LIVE|access-date=16 November 2016}} The protests also increased the use of blended learning by South African universities to assist non-protesting students complete their courses.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/students-take-on-blended-learning-2089470|title=Students take on blended learning|last=van Niekerk|first=Sacha|date=12 November 2016|work=The Independent on Saturday|access-date=16 November 2016}} On 7 December the University of the Witwatersrand announced that it would be increasing student fees by 8%.

{{Disputed section|date=December 2017}} Police used stun grenades, rubber bullets, teargas and water cannons to disperse students on the East side of the campus. While students remained calm, three days into the 2016 protest, students reacted to the police action and started throwing rocks at the police.Daily Maverick Arthur Muhamelwa who was part of the logistics team behind the movement was one of those targeted by police in 2016 where they drove him around for hours interrogating him about the movement and the whereabouts of other student leaders such as Shaeera Kalla, Mcebo Dlamini, Koena Ramogayana and Fasiha Hassan. #Feesmustfall leaders (in both 2015 and 2016) were all shot with rubber bullets and in particular the outgoing SRC president of 2015, Shaeera Kalla, was shot 9 times with rubber bullets at close range when she turned her back on police at the forefront of protests last year.GroundUp During this heightened period of brutality against students, the police denied these allegations of targeting student leaders. South African Police Spokesperson stated that police were reminded to "exercise maximum restraint and act within the limits of the law."{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}}

On 18 October 2016, it was said by students demonstrating at the University of Witwatersrand, that police officers were targeting leaders to weaken the movement. There are alleged claims of students being abducted, abused and then dumped into Limpopo.{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} Wits student Arthur Muhamelwa was arrested by police on Sunday, who proceeded to abduct him. Police drove him around for hours, whilst student leaders looked for him at Hillbrow, Jeppe and Cleveland police stations. the Student representative (SRC) council started #WhereIsArthur on Facebook. Arthur realised he was in some danger, he typed in an SMS seen by Daily Maverick, "Something here is not right, i'm still on a moving police quantum passing a board written Bela Bela and Polokwane and a board written welcome to Limpopo." this was just before 20:00 on Sunday evening. the Police proceeded to strip Arthur naked as well as torture him. he was then abandoned by the police Near a river in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.{{Citation needed|date=December 2017}} This and many other allegations were made by students and student leaders, who were adamant that the police was targeting leaders and intimidating them to quiet down protests. The Police force denied all allegations.{{Citation needed|date=December 2017|reason=link to article needed}}

Brutality was a big topic for debate since the general public either claimed the students were to blame due to their unprovoked violence, therefore giving police authority to use force, or the police were to blame, apparently using force while being unprovoked by students, resulting in student violence and destruction.

Alleged incidents of student violence against security guards were recorded during the protests, with security guards allegedly beaten and an incident occurring where a rock was allegedly thrown by a student at a security guard's head, resulting in hospitalization.

A worker at the University of Witwatersrand died during the protests due to an apparent asthma attack as a result of a fire extinguisher being set off on campus.

Cases of intimidation of staff and non-participating students during the protest movement were recorded.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/UWC-closed-until-further-notice-after-studying-students-intimidated-20151026|title=UWC closed until further notice after studying students intimidated|date=2015-10-26|website=News24|language=en|access-date=2019-03-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2018/08/08/counting-the-staggering-costs-of-the-feesmustfall-protests/|title=Counting The Staggering Costs Of The #FeesMustFall Protests – 2oceansvibe.com|date=8 August 2018|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-03-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://ewn.co.za/2016/09/30/UCT-to-deal-with-claims-of-staff-intimidation|title=UCT to 'deal with' claims of staff intimidation|last=Fisher|first=Shamiela|website=ewn.co.za|language=en|access-date=2019-03-03}}

The initial impact of the protests was to prevent any raise in university tuition in 2016. The protests resulted in the guarantee by national government of free higher education for students leading to the creation in 2018 of a national bursary scheme for poor and working class students totalling R12.4-billion in 2018 with the bursary budget expected to increase to R24.3-billion in 2020.{{Cite news|url=https://mg.co.za/article/2018-02-21-finally-how-government-plans-to-fund-free-education|title=Finally: How government plans to fund free education|last=Tshwane|first=Tebogo|work=Mail & Guardian|access-date=9 August 2018}} A study by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation concluded that the decolonisation focus of the 2016 protests was less successful than the 2015 protests; however the study concludes that the protests did bring the subject of decolonisation of educational institutions and the alienation of black students and staff from university life to broader public attention.{{Cite web|url=https://csvr.org.za/pdf/An-analysis-of-the-FeesMustFall-Movement-at-South-African-universities.pdf|title=#Hashtag: An analysis of the #FeesMustFall Movement at South African universities|last=Sandile Ndelu, Yingi Edwin, Musawenkosi Malabela, Marcia Vilakazi, Oliver Meth, Godfrey Maringira, Simbarashe Gukurume and Muneinazvo Kujeke.|access-date=2020-06-29}}|url=https://www.csvr.org.za/pdf/An-analysis-of-the-FeesMustFall-Movement-at-South-African-universities.pdf

The protests were estimated to have cost around R800 million in damages to educational infrastructure.{{Cite news|url=https://ewn.co.za/2018/08/08/feesmustfall-damage-costs-soar-to-nearly-r800m|title=#FeesMustFall damage costs soar to nearly R800m|last=Dentlinger|first=Lindsay|access-date=9 August 2018}} Family members of University of Cape Town Professor Bongani Mayosi stated that the "vitriolic character of student engagements"{{Cite news|url=https://www.medicalbrief.co.za/archives/feesmustfall-students-destroyed-mayosi-family-tells-mourners/|title=#FeesMustFall students destroyed Mayosi, family tells mourners – Medical Brief|date=8 August 2018|work=Medical Brief|access-date=9 August 2018}} during the protests by protesting students led to the decline in Mayosi's mental health resulting in his suicide in 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.biznews.com/thought-leaders/2018/08/07/suicide-professor-bongani-mayosi-death-ed-herbst|title=Reflections on suicide of Professor Bongani Mayosi, persecuted to death - Ed Herbst|date=7 August 2018|work=BizNews.com|access-date=9 August 2018|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809184114/https://www.biznews.com/thought-leaders/2018/08/07/suicide-professor-bongani-mayosi-death-ed-herbst|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Fees Must Fall Protests Believed to Have Led to Professor Bongani Mayosi's Depression and Suicide {{!}} The Public News Hub |url=https://www.publicnewshub.com/fees-must-fall-protests-believed-to-have-led-to-professor-bongani-mayosis-depression-and-suicide/ |work=publicnewshub.com |date=5 August 2018}}

The movement along with #Rhodesmustfall has been criticised by the Institute of Race Relations for eroding freedom of speech in South African universities by promoting intolerance of alternative points of view, with pro-FeesMustFall activists taking actions ranging from shouting down non-supporters to acts of intimidation and violence.{{Cite web |url=https://www.politicsweb.co.za/opinion/fear-on-campus-iv |title=Fear on campus (IV) - OPINION |publisher=Politicsweb |last=Gon |first=Sara |date=18 December 2018 |website=politicsweb.co.za |access-date=2018-12-19}}

A number of people involved in the #feesmustfall protests (most notably Naledi Chirwa, Vuyani Pambo, Peter Keetse and Dali Mpofu) were registered as Economic Freedom Fighters party representatives for the 2019 South African general election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/fees-must-fall-leaders-dali-mpofu-featured-in-effs-national-and-provincial-lists-20190313|title=Fees Must Fall leaders, Dali Mpofu featured in EFF's national and provincial lists|last=Tandwa|first=Lizeka|date=2019-03-13|website=News24|language=en|access-date=2019-03-14}}

The 2019 film Everything Must Fall documents the 2016 FeesMustFall protests.{{Citation|title=Everything Must Fall|date=31 December 2019|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt10334864/|access-date=2020-04-26}}

• FeesMustFall activists

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|FeesMustFall movement}}

• [http://groundup.org.za/features/studentfees/studentfees_0023.html Student fees: facts, figures and observations] – Ground Up (22 October 2015)
• [http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2015-10-21-daily-maverick-chronicle-feesmustfall-violence-at-the-gates-of-parliament/ Daily Maverick Chronicle: #FeesMustFall – Violence at the Gates of Parliament] (21 October 2015)
• [http://10and5.com/2015/10/20/imraan-christians-firsthand-account-of-the-feesmustfall-protest-at-uct/ Imraan Christian's Firsthand Account of the #FeesMustFall Protest at UCT] (20 October 2015)
• [http://www.thejournalist.org.za/spotlight/police-brutality-must-fall] (22 October 2016)
• [https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-18-feesmustfall-wits-students-accuse-police-of-abuse/] (18 October 2016)
• [https://www.groundup.org.za/article/student-leader-shaeera-kalla-shot-multiple-times/] (20 October 2016)
• [https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-18-feesmustfall-wits-students-accuse-police-of-abuse/]
• {{IMDb title|qid=Q123563780|title=Everything Must Fall|description=2019 documentary}}

{{Political history of South Africa}}

{{Cape Town|history}}

{{Pretoria}}

{{Greater Johannesburg|hist}}

Category:2015 in South Africa

Category:2015 protests

Category:2016 in South Africa

Category:2016 protests

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:Higher education in South Africa

Category:Internet memes

Category:Internet-based activism

Category:Nonviolent occupation

Category:Nonviolent resistance movements

Category:Progressivism in South Africa

Category:Student protests in South Africa

Category:University of Cape Town

Category:University of the Witwatersrand

Category:2010s political riots

Category:Social movements in South Africa

Category:Fees