The rebellion has specific roots in apartheid and colonialism. But issues of race,identity, fees and unemployment are provoking unrest across the worldViolence at South Africa’s universities has escalated from damage to statues and artworks and confrontations with security staff and police, and to the burning of buildings and brutal clashes between student factions. It’s the moment year of conflict over tuition fees,shortages of student accommodation, low-paid staff and the language of instruction.
Underlying youth anger are the legacies of racial discrimination and colonialism, and tall levels of unemployment and pronounced and increasing income inequality. While the form of campus protests is specific to South Africa,these fault lines have parallels in other higher education systems, including those of Britain and the US.
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Source: theguardian.com