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'We will close all tertiary institutions

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MBABANE – the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) is in a bid to have all tertiary institutions in the country closed next week Wednesday as students will be marching to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to deliver a petition.

This is contained in a letter addressed to the Minister of Labour and Social Security Lutfo Dlamini which was delivered yesterday morning by members of the executive committee of the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS).

SNUS Secretary General Samkeliso Ginindza said students were unhappy and frustrated with the way the minister was addressing their issues because they felt their grievances were not properly addressed.

"Our main demand, which will be highlighted in the petition, is that every qualifying Swazi student should receive a scholarship.

"We do not understand the 700 students who were turned back, this is taxpayers’ money which essentially is from our parents.

"If government needs to work on prioritising certain items in its budget then that’s what we expect because refusing to educate the youth will have adverse effects on the country," Ginindza said.

He also said students were tired of begging for scholarships and had now resolved to demand them because the scholarship conditions are that the money will be reimbursed to the government so they did not understand why it was being packaged as ‘a gift’.

Ginindza said after a meeting held with the Student Representative Council’s from institutions like William Pitcher College, the University of Swaziland, the Swaziland College of Technology, Ngwane Teachers’ College and for the first time Limkokwing University of Technology will participate in what has been termed a ‘peaceful protest march’.

In the letter the students said they intend to deliver the petition directly to the minister and have resolved that if he is not there to accept the petition they will sleep at the ministry gates until Dlamini agrees to see them.

The students said they delivered the letter yesterday in order to give the minister ample time to avail himself next week Wednesday. Ginindza said they were yet to approach the City Council to get permission to use the streets next week.

When reached for comment Government Spokesperson Percy Simelane said his office had not received any information pertaining the proposed march as yet.

...Maxwell to lead his first march since prison release

MBABANE – SNUS President Maxwell Dlamini will be leading his first student protest next week Wednesday since his release from prison.

SNUS Secretary General Samkeliso Ginindza said he wasn’t sure when Dlamini was required to report to the police station.

As part of his bail conditions Dlamini was instructed to report to the Manzini Police Station four times a week.

"If he has to make an appearance on Wednesday he will do that first and join the students later.

"We will wait for him to address the students and speak to us as our president," Ginindza said.

SNUS says it will demand an immediate response from the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Lutfo Dlamini, upon delivery of the petition because none of the information is fresh and he is already well versed on their concerns.


Comments

I think there was a misprint.Swaziland College Of Technology is not participating in such acts at this point in time,we are studying for exams Concerned Student.
Mar 15, 2012, 7:27 AM, Ginindza Zwelakhe (zwelakheginindza@rocketmail.com)

Government gave me E40.00 to spend on food for the whole year, my education,my future is at stake, if I dont take part in such peaceful marches I will lose the little that i have. SNUS march ngitabe nginje. Government left me and all the students with no choice at all.
Mar 15, 2012, 8:44 AM, sandile (deemack@hotmail.com)

Lets hope all this is done with clear justice not that SWAYOCO is trying their useless mobilizing strategy. I fail to understand if the executive is full of such kind of people who are always rowdy and bring no sense in discussions. Good luck on your discussions
Mar 15, 2012, 9:02 AM, Sibonelo (Nxumalos@yahoo.com)

It will be better if the march will last for a single day because SCOT is fresh from "HOME". If we can waste more time, I think we will lose a lot as we are towards writing exams.
Mar 15, 2012, 11:23 AM, MALINDZA (MALINDZA.BHEKI@GMAIL.COM)

Students have really had a hard time in the country and as i see things are getting worse. We really need to rethink new strategies as a country so let the government be open minded and start considering better alternatives, stop imposing laws that are bringing a fall to the system.
Mar 15, 2012, 11:38 AM, thokozani (ntungz@webmail.co.za)

I think that is a misprint again because the Swaziland College of Technology is from the recently boycotted class due to the clashes with the administration the faculty of the engineering science that were out for internship for the whole year cause the whole college to close down. For a week when we come back there was S R C election i feel it was n`t conducted because SCOT S R C PRESIDENT IS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICIAL FOR S N U S and right now we are forced to join the march i really disapprove it even though i don't have that kind of power let the government play the role on this i think when SCOT partakes in the march the president should be interrogated so that he can tell the world that did he build the college that he wants to rule or did he ever put in his contribution on the building and paying the salaries of the staff is he going to refund us the money that we are not spending while we are chucked home or is he to be able to make the students pass without negotiation if so we will engage in the march without fail let government work effectively on that i think umntfwana lokhuliseke kahle uyalati lilungelo lakhe on when to put on pressure and when not and the people who are to engage in the march will include the banned parties and the newly formed parties please stay away from us let us maintain peace in the country let the people in  authority run the country smoothly. No march should take place next week wednesday we want to to focus on our studies that thank you nginga funga maja libhunu nakumele kuliwe akuliwe mosi kuyevakala asibafuni labemaphathi yini ba chube inkhani thank you sir
Mar 15, 2012, 11:38 AM, mntfwane nkosi yase ngudzeni (sivungu14mz@gmail.com)

Its me today and you tommorow. Our education is at stake asibambisaneni Maswati for the benefit of the entire nation. liciniso litsi "selidumela emasumpeni or impi inyathela amangcolis' ebantwana" for students, examination is around the corner!
Mar 15, 2012, 11:38 AM, Sandile Mngomezulu (waltermsandy@gmail.com)

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