ANC Statements

The ANC joins South Africans, leaders and members of the South African Students Congress (SASCO) on its 32nd anniversary of this revolutionary and progressive student movement.

On the 6th of September, 1991 at the height of a fragmented, racist and exclusionary higher system, the face of higher education changed with the birth of SASCO, emanating from a merger between the South African National Students Congress (SANSCO) and the National Union of the South African Students (NUSAS).

SASCO’s historical mission remains the transformation of the higher education system from the ivory towers to people’s institutions, a curriculum that advances human development and the development of the country while simultaneously addressing the long-term vision of a new social order that is without poverty and inequality.

We further recall with pride SASCO’s emphasis on the symbiotic relationship between institutions of higher learning and communities, hence its conviction that “We are members of the community before are students”.

Notable among SASCO’s historical achievements is the fight against financial and academic exclusions because education is not a commodity but a basic human right. This is based on the injunction that “The doors of learning and culture shall be opened to all” as espoused by the Freedom Charter. A specific achievement in this regard was the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), integration of student residences, merging of universities, technikons and colleges into a coherent and further and higher education system in South Africa.

The challenge of a decolonised education system is an ongoing effort together with the fight against gender-based violence that continues to plague our institutions and society. The struggle for higher education needs a strong and student-centred which gives meaningful effect to SASCO’s motto of “Unity for Democracy in Education”.

In this regard, we call upon SASCO to refocus on the most pressing challenges facing South African students. These include registration challenges, campus safety, academic support for students, and meal and book allowances.

On this day, the ANC bows in honour of student leaders and activists who came before and have since passed such as Kgomotso Masebelanga, Monwa Luxande, Kenny Diseko Thami Rubusana, Ellaine Sacco, Tracy Malatjie, Bongi Mabunda, Babalwa Ntabeni, Mandla Ka Mabuza, and the many generations of leaders who had built the progressive student movement in South Africa.

Happy 32nd anniversary