As striking staff at Walter Sisulu University were preparing for yesterday's planned march to the Eastern Cape Premier's office, a lecturer at Walter Sisulu University represented the view of several of his colleagues when he said it was not fair to jeopardise students' futures because of administrative problems.
As striking staff at Walter Sisulu University were preparing for yesterday's planned march to the Eastern Cape Premier's office, a lecturer at Walter Sisulu University represented the view of several of his colleagues when he said it was not fair to jeopardise students' futures because of administrative problems.
He and more than 2 000 other Walter Sisulu University staff members have been waiting almost a week to be paid their October salaries.
"A strike is not meant to harm those you're supposed to serve – and we're here for the kids," the lecturer, who asked to remain anonymous, told Grocott's Mail on Wednesday.
Students have reported that in most academic departments, classes have continued as usual, as lecturers focus on helping students with their final exam preparations.
Siya Mnyaiza, acting executive director of human resources at the campus, sent a memorandum to staff last Thursday, saying, "Please be advised that the University will not be able to pay the salaries on the 15th October 2011. This is due to the University’s inability to raise sufficient capital to meet her financial obligations. Please be further advised that the pay-overs for September 2011 could also not be paid."
And in a sign of division among staff, there are conflicting statements from the two unions active on campus – the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu). Grocott's Mail has obtained statements from both, sent to their respective memberships.
In its memorandum, Nehawu told members they should suspended their services until further notice.
"Managers in all levels are urged to stop harassing their members to go to their work stations as the current status of non-payment affects everyone and a march to the office of the Premier is being planned for Thursday 20th October 2011 to submit memorandum outlining the state of affairs at WSU," the memorandum reads.
The NTEU memorandum reads, "The General Assembly agreed unanimously that the university business must continue as normal as advised and documented by the Labour Relations Act (BCEA)."
University spokesperson, Angela Church, highlighted the difficulties the institution faced in trying to stay afloat, and the reasons for its current position.
In an emailed response to questions, Church told Grocott's Mail: "The reasons for the present situation are many and complex, with historical and systemic roots. WSU was formed through the merger in 2006 of three financially weak, historically disadvantaged institutions. The merger was underfunded from the start. Merger costs claimed amounted to R1.2 billion and WSU received only R400 million of this cost."
She further said, "WSU’s geographic position and its mission to serve the under-developed eastern part of the Eastern Cape means that it is serving the poorest sector of the population.
"Its fees are the lowest higher education fees in the country and there is also a culture of non-payment of fees. Student debt is currently R345 million."
"The geographic spread of four campuses and 13 delivery sites over a 1 000km radius is costly to run. WSU has been operating on a deficit budget for the past five years. The Independent Assessor estimated that WSU requires bail-out funding of R300 million from September to December 2011."
"The university has reached the crossroads. Once the minister, Minister Blade Nzimande's intervention team arrives, the turnaround will commence," Church said.
Along with the University of Zululand and Tshwane University of Technology, Walter Sisulu University has been placed under administration.
