Dear Colleagues  

There have been several calls from students and staff for the Senior Executive Team to clarify its position on free education.

The Senior Executive Team supports the call for access to quality, free higher education for the poor and the so-called missing middle. In this regard, management commits to working towards this goal with all stakeholders in the sector, including student leaders.

We are willing to consult with the leaders of various constituencies on this matter, and if there is broad consensus from the University community, a General Assembly, through the resolution of Council, can be called within the next two weeks to solidify Wits’ stance on this issue. If consensus is reached by all constituencies and a decision is taken at the General Assembly for the University to participate in a public protest, then the executive management will support such a public demonstration.

The University further commits to working with the leaders of relevant stakeholders in the sector to engage on this matter at the national level.

It would be opportune to build on the work of staff and students compiled and presented by Professor Hlonipha Mokoena to the Commission which puts forward models on how South Africa can progressively achieve free education for the poor and what is referred to as the missing middle.

The transformation of the curriculum is a key component of the University’s transformation programme, and a matter that the University will continue to prioritise.

A further statement on whether the University will reopen tomorrow will follow at 17:00.

Thank you

SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM

2 OCTOBER 2016 (13:00)