#FeesMustFall | What do we say?

As an Every Nation family we love the next generation and we are passionate about reaching our students. We believe in them and we believe in the potential their lives carry.

These past weeks we had quite an up roaring on our campuses, in our streets and ultimately at the Union Buildings. So what do we, as Every Nation, say about #FeesMustFall, students fighting for their rights and governments role in all this?

Statement by His People and Every Nation Churches re. Student Uprising.

We stand in solidarity with all students who are battling to afford ever increasing university fees and those who cannot access higher education for financial reasons. 

Proverbs 21:13 - "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poos will also cry himself and not be heard."

We believe that this week may go down in history as the day when students said enough is enough on a matter of national importance.

We support all students who exercise their democratic right to down their books in solidarity with those who face financial exclusion and out of respect for those who have been unjustly arrested in this week's protest action.

We appeal to students who exercise their democratic right not to down their books not to ignore the light of their fellow students.

We appeal to all concerned to exercise these rights responsibly and represent the character of Christ in all our actions. We condemn all actions that violate the rights of others, damage property or commit unlawful acts. We reject intimidation and violence. We pray for calm, peace and non-violence in these protests from all parties involved.

We appeal to academic staff to postpone tests, exams and assignment deadlines in the next week out of appreciation for the gravity of the issue at hand. We voice our support to those vice-chancellors who have been engaging this protests responsibly and hearing the plights of the students.

We call on Minister Nzimande and Vice-Chancellors to place a moratorium on all university fee increases until a clear way forward has been found. We call on the Minister of Higher Education and Training to urgently overhaul the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and implement the recommendations of the committee established to address the funding of universities in 2012.

We call on President Zuma to turn the tide on corruption in our beloved country that is entrenching poverty and lining the pockets of the politically connected at the expense of the poor. We ask him to intervene in this crisis and engage in proper dialogue to hear the plight of students.

We call on business and alumni to increase their efforts in bursary and loan funding to students and to apply their creativity and entrepreneurial flair to find ways to meet the needs of the financial excluded.

We remember the words of former President Nelson Mandela when he said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

May we all do more to invest in the next generation - they are not just going to lead our country tomorrow, they are already leading it today!

2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.