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The South African Communist Party (SACP) and its Young Communist League (YCL) in Gauteng Province have resolved to defend the remaining part of the 2016 academic year against anarchy, violence and sheer destruction. 

The SACP and the YCL in the province held a two day summit in Benoni at the weekend under the banner of the Right To Learn Campaign (RTLC) for a working class biased free higher education system.

The summit was also attended and addressed by leaders of the South African Students Congress (SASCO), the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) and the SA University Union.

The summit welcomed SASCO's decision to resume classes and defend the academic year. It however noted that there might be forces within our ranks who may still hang on to the notion of a "permanent shutdown" of campuses. We are however confident that the majority of the students have seen through the ugly face and physiognomy of the forces behind the destruction, violence and anarchy.

We are certain that many students have seen that these sheer acts of anarchy and violence have not achieved anything meaningful as they continue to suffer poverty of dynamic, creative and innovative ideas to resolve the problems affecting the higher education sector.

The summit, by an overwhelming majority, reaffirmed the profound and historic principle of a working class biased free higher education as the essential content of the RTLC.

It also resolved that the struggle for a working class biased free higher education is not an event, but requires a transition with bridges and building blocks that proceeds from the current National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) policy framework.

The Summit noted that the current regulatory framework for higher education funding, the administration of NSFAS, especially the role of university management constitutes an area of serious weakness that requires urgent attention.

The RTLC Summit therefore resolved that the struggle for free education without a class content and that is not premised on the current gains and achievements made by the ANC-led government will remain abstract and Utopian. The meeting welcomed gains made to date, and the announcements made by the Ministry of Higher Education last week.

The Summit denounced attempts at separating the demand for free higher education with the right to learn. It further resolved that the notion of a "permanent shutdown" of campuses is a direct attack on the right to learn.

The meeting also noted the fact that structures of the PYA in campuses are divided along factional lines linked to the broader factions in the revolutionary movement. It was further noted that some of the leaders of the PYA are captured by various political and ideological forces and by perks and benefits dished out by management, thus further weakening their cohesion and unity.

The Summit also raised serious questions about sources of funding for an amoeba and amorphous phenomena known as #Feesmustfall to sustain its costly activities and lavish lifestyles for its leaders known as the Top 6.

It is important to note that at the core of this amorphous coalition is their common hatred of the SACP, it's leadership and its role as the vanguard of the left forces in our country. 

The Summit also noted that the #Feesmustfall is led by various forces with direct links and interests to the 2017 ANC electoral conference, the #OccupyLuthuliHouse movement, and the new political party soon to be formed as announced by EFF leader Julius Malema.

Summit also dismissed the ideological bankruptcy and phrase mongering tendencies embedded in meaningless concepts such as the decolonialisation of higher education. It also adopted resolutions in various areas and a declaration that will soon be published to enrich and improve higher education transformation, the Right To Learn Campaign and strengthen PYA cohesion and the realisation of the Working class biased free higher education.

The meeting also called on the Presidential Commission to finalise its work and present its recommendations as a matter of urgency and principle.

Issued by SACP Gauteng Province