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Ministry of Higher Education and Training, Media Statement, 2 April 2015 DM Mduduzi Manana at the Vigil Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr. Mduduzi Manana, MP adds his voice to the call for the removal of Rhodes statue by joining the students' night vigil at the University of Cape Town, upper campus, Western Cape The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana, MP, will pledge his solidarity with the students of the University of Cape Town by attending a Night Vigil scheduled to take place on 07 April 2015, the eve of the Council Meeting which is expected to take a decision in relation to the call by students who have been advocating for the removal of the statue of Cecil John Rhodes from the university precinct. This move by students of all racial groups at the University of Cape Town has once again necessitated an honest and robust debate on transformation of institutions of higher learning in South Africa, especially those institutions that were not designated as Historically Disadvantaged Institutions. The debate about symbols, such statues and names is necessary to ensure that we reshape our past and continue to restore the dignity of the majority who were oppressed by apartheid rule. It is therefore crucial for our students to drive the process of ensuring that the transformation agenda in our institutions is prioritized. The transformation agenda should not only be limited to the removal of apartheid statues and renaming of buildings, it should also include re-engineering and reconfiguration of the demographic composition of staff and student bodies as well as ensuring that the curriculum reflects South Africa's development and cultural needs. The Deputy Minister is pleased to note the Unity of Purpose amongst various racial groups who have mobilized themselves to be agents of change in the University of Cape Town and not only wait for government to fast track the transformation agenda for them whilst they bear the brunt of various challenges caused by lack of transformation. "It can only be the partnership between government and all role-players that can speed up the pace of transformation that we envision in our universities", he noted. The Deputy Minister will therefore participate in the non-aligned and apolitical night vigil with students of the university to show the government's commitment to all the imperatives of transformation as outlined in the White Paper for Post School Education and Training. Ends. Issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Training Media Enquires: Sibusiso R Mlangeni Cell: 073 839 2195 Email: [email protected] -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "YCLSA Discussion Forum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
