In the aftermath of the #FeesMustFall protests which have caused Universities to completely shut down in South Africa, some students are showing the world they’re not caving into the violence and mayhem.
The biggest protests by South African university students in the post-apartheid era were fueled by mounting anger over the widespread poverty and inequality that persists since the country’s first multiracial elections in 1994.
The University protests which are in their second year have turned violent with some students and citizens taking to the streets to express their anger.
But some students and community members are not joining the masses.
Instead, these South Africans have banded together on Twitter with #IllStudyWithYou, a hashtag showing their solidarity with fellow countrymen scared of being attacked on campuses and focused on passing 2016.
The hashtag started simply, with an act of compassion.
The original tweet was posted by Katrina Yellow, a UCT academic who is passionate about South Africa & our future.
https://twitter.com/katrinayellow/status/788835969411780609
https://twitter.com/katrinayellow/status/788836847300509697
Yellow has been encouraging her students to (safely) get together during the UCT shutdown and share resources, through their chat rooms.
But the hashtag seems to be catching on, with people starting to help each other out… in the most amazing way.
I have a laptop someone can use if they need one for studying? #illstudywithyou #uctshutdown https://t.co/9uenUFe5cW
— Laura Blamey (@laurablamey) October 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/uLindokuhle/status/788836162307780608
Education is everything for a nation to thrive. I'll donate space for lectures if the campus's close. #IllStudyWithYou
— Andrew Ross (@maddog_sa) October 20, 2016
Keen to donate my time, experience or resources to any students that need it. Anything I can do to help you pass 2016. #IllStudyWithYou
— Brent Lindeque (@BrentLindeque) October 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/MelBellaMey/status/789116654319988737
Any #UCT #Physiotherapy students needing extra help with studies, I am happy to help. #Illstudywithyou
— Wendy Holliday (@WendzH) October 20, 2016
Campus shutdowns has big impact on the students with ltd resources.Time to help where we can #Illstudywithyou #UCT #UCTshutdown #UCTOpen
— Louise Gammage (@LouGammage) October 20, 2016
Why it matters. This hashtag movement is a powerful sign that South African students are still focused on what matters and why they are in the Universities in the first place… to study! It also shows a collective conscious to help those that want to and need to be helped.
If you can assist or want to help a student study, even through the closures. Get involved, tweet, facebook & share the #IllStudyWithYou hashtag!
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