Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande’s failure to pitch for a prayer meeting at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) on Thursday, prompted a walk-out by about 60 students.
The students, most of whom were dressed in the trademark red berets and T-Shirts of the Economic Freedom Fighters, were visibly frustrated and angry when they were informed that Nzimande was not attending the prayer meeting.
A statement was issued earlier in the day by the higher education and training department saying that Nzimande would attend the meeting, organised by the Alliance of Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches in KwaZulu-Natal, to pray for an end to the violence that has gripped the country’s universities during protests calling for free education and an end to student fees.
The group of students also found themselves held up before entering the venue, where an unknown church official made it clear what the purpose of the prayer meeting was.
“You are failing to understand this. Look at my face. If ever you become a bad element inside, I will forcefully remove you from inside, because this is a church thing, not political,” he told the students, to which they replied: “Amen”.
Apart from Nzimande, parents of students attending universities in KwaZulu-Natal, vice chancellors and student Christian organisations were expected to take part in the event, but only about 200 people, mostly students, attended.
Once inside, the EFF students took part in singing and worship along with other students, and most heeded the call to receive prayers at the stage.
Once they heard Nzimande was not attending, they left the venue and gathered outside the entrance of the ICC.
“We are hoping that Jesus Christ is going to hear our cry. We are hoping that the Holy Spirit will go to the students who are arrested in jail,” Durban University of Technology EFF student command chairman, Philani Gazuzu Nduli told the students.
Tshwane University of Technology student leader Sthembiso kaShandu, said that students would not allow leaders to dictate the terms of the fees must fall movement and thanks students for their behaviour inside the meeting.
“We are told the narrative that students are hooligans and rascals. We came here to receive a prayer and we are thankful that we have received such blessings. We want to change the wrong narrative. We want our free education now. We are children of the poor and the working class, we want the promise that was made in 1994,” he said.
Several campuses around the country have experienced violence and unrest since Nzimande announced on September 19 that universities could increase fees by up to eight percent with government providing more financial support to the poorer students.
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