Madame Speaker, 

The Inkatha Freedom Party is extremely concerned about the plight of sixteen Sadesmo-affiliated students who remain suspended following protests at the Mangosuthu University of Technology, in March of this year.

The protests were planned by the Student Representative Council of the University to protest against lack of services and basic tools of learning at the University.

The suspended students are now losing out on valuable class time and they could struggle to get good marks this year, which might have dire consequences on their future career paths.

The IFP calls on the Minister of Education, who has kept quiet while drama unfolded at the University, to urgently intervene.

If Minister Naledi Pandor is serious about her Department's mission - which is to build a South Africa in which all our people have access to lifelong education and training opportunities - then she is obliged to intervene as a matter of urgency so that these students can go back to class and make the most of their education opportunities.

We cannot allow politics and prejudice to stand in the way of the future of these young students.

Thank you.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mr Alfred Mpontshane MP: 083 441 6201