The first student protest in South Africa occurred 50 years ago on 8th April 1965; these were not some radical English speaking students from Wits or UCT but rather conservative Afrikaans students. Their grievances related to mother-tongue education and the removal of liberal lecturers. Contrast this protest with the #FeesMustFallcampaign in October 2015 when students once again held protests in Pretoria.
Main picture: The caption reads South Africa First
Every era produces its rash of student protests. Ironically one of the issues of the white 1965 demonstrations and the black protests of 1976 was exactly the same viz the Afrikaans language. Whereas the white university students were demanding to be taught in their mother tongue, Afrikaans, the black students were demanding to be taught in any other language than Afrikaans as that was the language of the oppressor.
In 1965 6 000 students from throughout South Africa marched en-masse down the length of Church Street to Church Square in Pretoria. This was the first time, in the history of South Africa, that such a mass student action had ever taken place.
1965
The photos & annotations below are from the original student body publication. They speak for themselves.
Students being addressed by the President of the student body
The caption reads – We traverse the roads of South Africa
We support mother-tongue tuition
The caption reads – Deliver our Universities from liberalistic lecturers
The Rector of U.P. (University of Pretoria) Professor C.H. Rautenbach: “There were rumours spread that students were going to overrun certain foreign embassies. Such things happen in Moscow and Cairo not in Pretoria. Congratulations – your behaviour was exemplary”
… but never in South Africa
“We look back and we are thankful.
We look up and we believe.
We look forward and we are hopeful.”
2015
Almost exactly fifty years later, students march again march in Pretoria, this time to the Union Buildings. Is history repeating itself?
On this occasion the students are protesting that they should not have to pay fees. Ultimately the government capitulates and agrees that there would be no fee increase in 2016. What would happen in 2017 or later years, was not discussed.
