OPEN LETTER TO THE UNISWA REGISTRAR

Sir,

In light of the recent memorandum, informing all University of Swaziland students, at very short notice, to vacate the premises and to return home for an indefinite period, I have found it necessary to ask you Mr Simelane a couple of questions.

I am a 3rd year student, who has been at the university long enough to know that it is rather safe for one to never engage in any of the altercations between the student body and the administration, as history has taught many of us, the university will always be the victor.
I have no affiliation to any bodies/parties within the Kwaluseni Campus. I am writing this letter on my own accord, with the utmost respect of the office you hold, and of course your person, as a father and I happen to be a Simelane too.

I was overwhelmed with sadness when I joined what seemed to be thousands of students making their way out of the premises of the university.
The famous boys in blue stood in formation at the gate as we walked out. And these were not the normal police you would see every day, these were OSSU.

As I walked, I was thinking about how much money and courage I will need to get to Ngcoseni, Mankayane. I also had to consider what my grandmother would think of my character, considering I am implicated in this, irrespective of the fact that I was not a part of the lunacy. The way home became much longer as I started thinking about all the trouble I was in.

Firstly, I am told that on the registration week, there was a memorandum stating that no student body meetings were to be held on the university premises, at least until you have approved it, I assume.

This kind of censorship is tantamount to spitting on the constitutional freedom of assembly, but that is not the issue here.
By my understanding this, subsequently, means that under no circumstances were students able to have a resolution of any sort. I stand corrected.

I have since taken it upon myself to read the grievances of the students, which are no doubt valid and sincere. 
Students are concerned about the arrangement with the bookshop (including the extreme prices), and this cannot be more hurtful as it pertains to government scholarship beneficiaries only.

Students are complaining about the prices at the refectory. With the free market economy of Swaziland, I fear this also affects government scholarship beneficiaries.
Students require an immediate release of meal allowances.

Accommodation and the allocation of it.
Circular on disbursement of student fees from the government department related to scholarships. beneficiaries
Improvement of internet (Wi-Fi) coverage.

The above points are well documented on a memorandum that was circulated in the university.
Mr Registrar, why is it that almost each time you take such action it is always informed by the squabble between government scholarship beneficiaries and government itself, yet it affects all students?

Why is it that even when there is no way the student body could have met to come up with a resolution, you allow some clearly overzealous students; whom I must admit might have threaded on treasonous grounds when assaulting police and damaging their vehicle, to affect the very purpose we are all at the university for, which is to learn and acquire our degrees. This could have in no way been a student resolution, since there was no meeting, at least to my knowledge.

Why is it that even if students potentially agree on a boycott to address their grievances you still decided on shutting down the university, affecting the academic aspect of our university lives?

We stand to suffer a loss of a minimum of two weeks, or more with this decision, when the students would have given up a day of classes, to send the message to the administration.

I have met a lot of people in my life, not so many who matter, but those who do have always had an intriguing question for me; ‘When do you guys learn because you are either rioting or being sent home, yet you come out with Bachelor’s Degrees’? I honestly hope to answer this question one day myself.

I am confident this letter appeals to your sensibilities as a respected leader who can facilitate productive collaboration to reach collaboration. Above all, I hope that this letter appeals to your humanity as a citizen of Swaziland who wishes to see young future leaders gain the education that is essential to their prosperity and the future of the country.

Aggrieved student

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