#feesmustfall
In October 2015, a series of student-led protests began across South Africa – which coincided with the medium-term budget speech – in response to the rising costs of university fees and to increase government funding for higher education. The protests also called for an end to outsource staff such as campus security and cleaning services and for them to be directly employed by universities.
The movement initially began at Wits University and spread to Rhodes University, the University of Cape Town and other universities around the country, unfolding through university lockdowns, campus protests, city marches and altercations with police.
On October 21, 2015, thousands of students gathered to protest outside Parliament in Cape Town during the medium-term budget. The students broke through the gates and marched to the steps of Parliament, calling for Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande. Police on scene responded by releasing stun grenades, using tasers and removing students by force. Twenty-nine students were arrested.
On October 23, 2015, President Jacob Zuma announced from within the Union Buildings that there will be no increase in university fees in 2016.
There was a revival of the protests in 2016, when fees were being structured for the 2017 academic year.
These photographs were made between October 2015 and October 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Students protest against the increase in tuition fees outside Parliament on October 21, 2015.
Students march down the street outside Parliament on October 21, 2015.
Students clash with police outside Parliament during a protest against the increase in tuition fees on October 21, 2015.
A row of students face off with riot police outside Parliament on October 21, 2015.
Kgotsi Chikane, son of ANC stalwart and Reverend Frank Chikane, is taken away by police during the protest against tuition fee increases at Parliament on October 21, 2015.
Several protesters are arrested during a clash between students and police outside Parliament on October 21, 2015.
Kgotsi Chikane, son of ANC stalwart and Reverend Frank Chikane, and other protesters are placed in a police van during the protest against tuition fee increases at Parliament on October 21, 2015.
Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, makes an appearance at Parliament during the protest on October 21, 2015.
Students protest against the increase in tuition fees outside Parliament on October 21, 2015.
Protesters gather outside the Magistrate's Court awaiting the release of the detained students on October 22, 2015.
Thousands of students take to the streets, marching into Cape Town CBD on October 22, 2015.
Thousands of students take to the streets, marching into Cape Town CBD on October 22, 2015.
Workers dance and chant during a protest on Lower Campus at the University of Cape Town on October 23, 2015.
A student holds up a placard during the Fees Must Fall protests at the University of Cape Town on October 23, 2015.
Students and academics congregate at on Middle Campus during the Fees Must Fall protests at the University of Cape Town on October 23, 2015.
Protesters paint "Fees Must Fall" placards ahead of the State of Nation Address in Cape Town on February 11, 2016.
Dr Lwazi Lushaba address students at a mass meeting during the Fees Must Fall Protests at the University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape on September 19, 2016
A student looks on at a row of police cars during a Fees Must Fall protest in Cape Town on September 19, 2016.
Students stand in silence holding placards on the steps on Upper Campus during the continued Fees Must Fall protests at the University of Cape Town on October 5, 2016.
Students flip the bird at police while passing by during the Fees Must Fall protests at the University of Cape Town on October 5, 2016.
Student protesters congregate for a mass meeting at the University of Cape Town on October 5, 2016.
Students take the protest to the main road during the Fees Must Fall protests at the University of Cape Town on October 5, 2016.
A helicopter flies overhead as riot police stand on guard outside Parliament in Cape Town on October 26 2016.
A policeman is seen through a barbed wire barricade by Parliament in Cape Town on October 26, 2016.
Protesters clamber up a barbed wire barricade outside Parliament at a Fees Must Fall march on October 26, 2016.
Student protesters at a Fees Must Fall march outside Parliament in Cape Town on October 26, 2016.
A worker cleans up after protesters damaged the fast food joint during the Fees Must Fall protests in Cape Town on October 26, 2016.