Fort Hare Protests: Minister Buti Manamela Says Classes Will Resume As University Works To Restore Order

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has assured South Africans that the University of Fort Hare (UFH) is working to restore calm after nearly a week of violent protests disrupted academic activities at the historic institution.

Plans To Resume Teaching

Speaking to the media over the weekend, Manamela said that plans were underway to ensure that teaching and learning resume this weekwhether in person or online.

“I have instructed the university council and management to take the necessary steps to ensure classes restart without delay,” he explained. Law enforcement officers and campus security have been deployed to help restore stability and protect both staff and students.

Completing The Academic Year Is “Non-Negotiable”

Manamela emphasised that completing the 2025 academic year remains a top priority.

“Students must be able to complete their studies in peace and safety. That is a non-negotiable,” he said. “The university must ensure the academic year is not put in any further jeopardy.”

The unrest has caused extensive damage to university property. According to the minister, seven buildingsincluding lecture halls and a libraryhave been damaged, with repair costs estimated between R100 million and R500 million pending expert assessment.

Political Tensions And Student Demands

The protests at Fort Hare were sparked by tensions around Student Representative Council (SRC) elections and renewed calls for the removal of Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu. The institution, one of South Africa’s most storied universities with alumni such as Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, has faced several waves of student unrest over governance and management disputes in recent years.

Addressing Grievances

Manamela condemned the violence, calling it “criminal” rather than a legitimate form of protest.

“What has happened at Fort Hare is not protest, it is criminal,” he said. “It destroys opportunity and erodes confidence but also undermines the faith of young people who look to education as their only chance for a better life.”

He added that his department would continue engaging with students, staff, and other stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to the grievances raised, aiming to end what he described as “cycles of violent episodes” at the university.

A University At A Crossroads

For many, Fort Hare represents both the legacy and the future of South African higher education. Yet, recurring protests have highlighted deep divisions between management and students. As efforts to restore calm continue, the focus now turns to whether the university can not only resume classes but also rebuild trust within its community.

{Source:The South African}

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