By: Sthabiso Mdledle

President Jacob Zuma will meet with university students and leaders at the Union Buildings in Pretoria today.

According to the presidency, the president will discuss key issues faced by universities in the country including the increase in tuition fees.

The meeting comes after universities throughout South Africa shut down during exams over fee increment.

Sibabalwe Lunika, an Architect student at the Durban University of Technology, said that he was happy that the president is showing interest in student grievances.

“I was so sad when the strike started, I was writing my last exam however, we have a right to fight for the better future,” added Lunika.

Earlier this month, the president met with Vice-Chancellors and Chairpersons of Councils and they had agreed to establish a task team to explore solutions to short-term student
funding challenges.

The president said that government fully understands the pressure and difficulties that affect students coming from poor households.

“It is important that we work together to find solutions. Nobody disagrees with the message that students from poor households are facing financial difficulties and possible exclusion.

Even in the January 8 statement of the governing party this year, we stated that the escalating cost of university education had become another source of exclusion for the poor and

vulnerable South African child,” said President Zuma in a statement.

He added that all parties should allow space for this matter to be discussed in a manner that will enable the government to find a solution.