New York Imbizo Committee rallies to support South African students
By Dennis Kabatto – The rally scheduled for 2 pm on Saturday at Madiba restaurant in Brooklyn, New York will seek to generate resources to support South African students in their quest against tuition hike and for an ultimate free higher education in the country.
Though President Zuma announced Friday a freeze in university tuition fees for next year after a week of protest, officials of New York City chapter of Imbizo Host Committee say there is still more work to be done.
“Our main goal is to petition the government and courts to drop all charges against student protestors. Also, petition universities to reform protocol regarding how to deal with student protests in a civil manner,” Imbizo Host Committee said in an email statement.
The statement also emphasized the rally’s top priority to discuss the needs of the country’s universities “that are not highly prioritized but still need assistance.”
The committee says its long-term goal is the creation of a South African New York social change fund committee to support social movements for free higher education in South Africa.
The Imbizo Host Committee-New York City was established to promote dialogue and engagement on social, political and economic issues relating to South Africans.
