Johannesburg – Widespread protests by South African students demanding free higher education could destroy universities, President Jacob Zuma said on Monday.
Zuma was officially opened the Higher Education Stakeholder Summit on Monday in a bid to address the fees crisis in the higher education sector.
"What is happening on our campuses has the potential to destroy our universities but we have the power to change that working together," Zuma said.
"Government is committed to do everything possible to progressively make higher education more affordable for all."
The Higher Education Stakeholder Summit would be a one-day gathering to find an immediate solution to the higher education crisis while the Fees Commission continues its investigation into the feasibility of free higher education in the country.
Universities across the country have been plunged into a state of paralysis since announcement by the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, that tertiary institutions could hike their fees for 2017, but not more than eight percent.
The summit will bring together various sectors including business, labour, faith-based sector, students, parents and university management.
Vice-chancellors from Rhodes University, University of Pretoria, Tshwane University of Technology and University of Witswatersrand were all present, together with State Security Minister David Mahlobo.
Before Zuma and Nzimande arrived, leaders of the South African Union of Students warmed the delayed proceedings with song and dance, chanting struggle songs to the effect that they did not have any money to pay for education.
African News Agency