Registration at North-West University is set to begin next week, God
willing. You may remember last November when the students protested/rioted over
anticipated fee increases at universities all across South Africa. After two weeks of protests, the government
promised a 0% fee increase for 2015 so the protests were called off and the
students were able to finish their exams.
The ultimate goal of the protesters, however, was completely free
university education and now students around South Africa are again protesting
and interfering with registration for the new academic year in an effort to
obtain that goal. NWU’s registration
process begins next week so we will soon know if our university will once again
be involved in the protests.
Rumors are
rampant among the students and staff with some saying that protests/strikes
during registration may close the university until next term (July). Thankfully, I can rest in the knowledge that
no matter the outcome, it is all in God’s hands. Sadly for me and the
evangelism students I work with, if registration is affected then our planned outreach
will likely be canceled. Several
students are coming back a week early to help with the outreach to first-years
and Dr Gestring is flying in from the US to help as well. We are praying that
registration and orientation continues as planned.
If the protests
do occur please pray that they will stay peaceful this time. Pray that no students, police, or staff will
be injured, that no property will be damaged, and that I will be able to stay
in my on-campus housing.
If the protests
do not develop on our campus, please pray for the students participating in our
outreach. Pray that incoming students
will be prepared by God to hear of his love and salvation. Pray that strong relationships will develop
between the incoming students and those students participating in the outreach.
Pray that the outreach students will be bold in sharing God’s word to those
around them.
As usual, up to
the minute details will be posed via my Facebook page. You can also follow along with the national
protests online by searching for #feesmustfall. Please keep us in your prayers.
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