Joint Communiqué Sent by South African Communist Party, Gauteng Province, 28 February 2016 PRESS STATEMENT ON AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FOLLOWING PARTIES: GAUTENG PROVINCE ALLIANCE AND PROGRESSIVE YOUTH ALLIANCE REPRESENTED AS FOLLOWS: 1. AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (ANC) GAUTENG PROVINCE 2. SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY (SACP) GAUTENG PROVINCE 3. CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE UNIONS (COSATU) GAUTENG PROVINCE 4. SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL CIVIC ASSOCIATION (SANCO) GAUTENG PROVINCE 5. ANC YOUTH LEAGUE GAUTENG PROVINCE 6. YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE, SA (YCL) GAUTENG PROVINCE 7. SOUTH AFRICAN STUDENTS CONGRESS (SASCO) GAUTENG PROVINCE AND SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT REPRESENTED AS FOLLOWS: 1. AFRIFORUM 2. AFRIFORUM YOUTH 3. TRADE UNION SOLIDARITY RE: RESTORING A PEACEFUL, STABLE AND SUSTAINED ACADEMIC PROGRAMME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA (UP). We, the above stated parties held a constructive bilateral meeting in the City of Tshwane on Wednesday, 24th February 2016. The meeting followed a series of violent activities that led to the regrettable closure of the University of Pretoria (UP) last week. Whilst the parties appreciate the fact that they hold different views on various matters, the parties were inspired by the spirit of multi-party talks and practice of dialogue that is inclusive, transparent and broadly representative of diverse views. Such multi-party talks have historically served our country as best practice to resolve complex matters of common interest amongst various stakeholders and parties. The parties therefore agreed that matters of common interest that necessitated the bilateral meeting are limited to at least three critical issues, and therefore agreed as follows: 1) Unconditionally denounce intimidation, disruption, violence and attempts to polarise the university community along racial lines The parties noted the recent spate of violent activities, reckless and dangerous racist rhetoric and hatred at the University of Pretoria (UP). The parties noted that these backward and regrettable practices have also led to conduct threatening life and property engineered by opportunists and with no track record of providing credible leadership and workable solutions where such are required. The parties agreed that without decisive and strategic leadership by parties on the university campus, the situation has a potential to polarise the University along racial lines, and create a deep seated grievance that may continue to pose a real danger to the future stability and unity of the University. The parties resolved that as part of their contribution to create a stable and safe environment on campus, they should publicly denounce all forms of intimidation, disruption and violence. Parties further agreed to embrace an environment characterised by peace, stability, open dialogue and non racialism, in which all students, workers and other sectors of the university live side by side without any exposure to any form of threat to their lives, bodily harm, racial abuse, prejudice and bigotry. Parties agreed to work together to ensure that the university campus community embraces the above values and principles to sustain a stable campus environment. 2) Transformation of the University and the Language Policy The parties agreed to support the broader ongoing process of change and overall improvement of the University, and to clear any obstacles that create conditions and feelings of alienation by any section of the University community. The parties noted that the history of our country to elevate and privilege some languages above other languages, as a past that should not be repeated and sustained in any form. The parties also agreed that the best approach to the language question, especially those guaranteed and protected by the country’s constitution, is to focus on their development as opposed to attacking and attempts to liquidate any of them. Parties agreed that no constitutionally protected language must be threatened by misguided calls to fall or be elevated or privileged above others. This may further undermine the development of other languages, especially indigenous languages. The parties further agreed that any process affecting any Constitutionally recognised language in whatever manner, should be credible and be underpinned by respected basic tenets of democracy such as inclusivity, transparency, mutual respect and proper consultation to hear the views and aspirations of all interested parties. The parties therefore agreed that feelings of vengeance, revenge and hatred must not be allowed to play any role in matters affecting higher education institutions, especially on sensitive and emotive issues such as languages. Parties further agreed that any populist, demagogic, unilateral and undemocratic resolution of the language issue using intimidation, disruption and violence should be unconditionally rejected. It is this recklessness, lack of foresight and sensitivity that constituted an area of common and serious concern to the parties. The parties therefore resolved to call on the University of Pretoria Management and Council to urgently and with immediate effect create a democratic and inclusive Transformation Forum as a special mechanism to resolve urgent questions of transformation and the language policy. The outcome of such a process should reflect the unity and diversity of the campus community. 3) Re-opening of the University The parties agreed to pledge and commit to throw their collective support fully behind the re-opening of the University on Monday, 29th February 2016. The parties further agreed to call on the UP Management and Council to discharge their duties and responsibilities to protect human life and property, and guarantee protection of rights of students, workers and other sectors of the university to learn and work in a safe environment. The parties called on the University Management to enforce University Rules and Code of Discipline, and exercise their full authority against any form of intimidation, disruption and violence. In this regard, the parties agreed that the power to protect life and property rests squarely and firmly within the UP Management and Council (supported by the South African law enforcement agencies). The parties find it regrettable and unfortunate that the UP Management and Council closed the University without taking any form of action against those who perpetrated acts of intimidation, disruption and violence which brought the good name of the University into disrepute. The parties agreed to cooperate to ensure that UP is not closed again except under exceptional circumstances. The parties called on law enforcement agencies to protect the rule of law, enforce constitutionally recognised rights and freedoms. The parties agreed to call on all organisations on campus to denounce intimidation, disruption and violence and commit to channel their efforts to the proposed Transformation Forum. They should all work to find solutions that are in the best interest of the university, country and human development. The parties finally agreed to fully cooperate on matters stated above, and work together to ensure that the University of Pretoria is placed at the service of the country, its economy and people in their diversity. Contact: Hope Papo Gauteng Provincial Secretary [ANC] Cell: 083 276 3688 or Kallie Kriel CEO Afriforum Cell: 082 441 5073 -- -- 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] . 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