Browsing by Author "Brown, Tom Mark"
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- ItemFrom participation to protest: the link between protest and participation: the case of the #feesmustfall protests at the University Of The Western Cape(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Brown, Tom Mark; Mantzaris, Evangelos; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.ENGLISH SUMMARY : Protests in South Africa is not a new phenomenon nor is it a phenomenon which is unique to South Africa. As early as the 1700’s for example, during the French Revolution, citizens protested against perceived injustices perpetuated by the governing elite against the poor and working class. There is almost no country or continent that can claim that they have not experienced some form of unrest, peaceful or violent, by citizens whom were no longer satisfied with the status quo, or the undelivered promises of the elected government. In this regard, South Africa has seen its fair share of protests, violent and non-violent, prior to the first democratically elected government in April 1994. Prior to the 1994 elections it could be argued that protests were justified given the one-party rule and the disenfranchisement of the majority of its citizens South Africa’s citizens including what could be considered an inferior educational system. Disconcertingly. Post 1994 South Africa has been plagued by the persistence of protests leading to much blood shed, loss of life and damage to property. While the right to peaceful protest by various sectors of the South African population is enshrined in the South African Constitution( South Africa 1996), it is the violent and persistent nature of these protests leading to some commentators referring to South Africa as the “ protest capital of the world” . Of equal concern is the increase in student protests at institutions of higher learning on various issues, often manifesting itself outside of the formal participatory mechanisms available to students, by students whom can be considered “the born frees” This study explores participatory mechanisms available to students at institutions of higher learning in general, and student protests as an attempt to influence, formulate and transform public policy at institutions of higher learning. In particular the study is guided by a qualitative research paradigm using a structured interview tool to gather primary data using the University of the Western Cape as a case study against the backdrop of the #feesmustfall protests. It is further argued in this study that the #feesmustfall protests are not an end in itself, but rather a symptom of the broader inadequacies of the current participatory mechanisms available at institutions of higher learning in university governance structures in general, and the University of the Western Cape in particular. The study further suggests the adaptation of some of the current theoretical models used to analyse and understand protests or student action at institutions of higher learning as well as recommendations to improve student-university management relations based on the findings of the empirical research. Furthermore, the study wishes to lay the ground work for further studies.