CAPE TOWN under armour phenom shoes sale , Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Violent protests at some universities in South Africa saw no sign of abating on Friday despite growing calls for academic programs to return to normal.
The new spate of violence hampered preparations for a new academic year, forcing some universities to shut down.
Students and workers are protesting for various reasons, ranging from accommodation shortage, outsourcing and language policy.
At the University of North West, the science building was burned down. At some other universities, public properties were also vandalized and buildings were torched.
Management at the universities has vowed to deal with troublemakers harshly.
The University of Pretoria said it will adopt a zero tolerance to violence and crime when the institution opens its doors next week.
Students at the university have been protesting against using Africaans as a medium of instruction. At least 27 people were arrested last week for suspected involvement in acts of violence.
Protest at the university spilled out of campus when protesters torched a Metrorail train and attacked rail workers.
""We will employ an approach of zero tolerance. That means we will use all our internal procedures as relevant. We have internal process for transgressions of our code of conduct but if something is a crime, it must be dealt with as a crime,"" said Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Vice Chancellor at the university, calling on students to desist from vandalizing and damaging property.
The university has been closed due to the ongoing student protests and violence.
The North West University's Mahikeng campus has also been closed indefinitely after two buildings were burnt earlier this week.
Academic activities have been suspended at the Tshwane University of Technology's Soshanguve campuses.
At the University of the Free State (UFS), protests forced the Rector, Professor Jonathan Jansen, to resigned.
But protesting students said lectures will not resume until management succumbs to students' demands which include an end to outsourcing.
News emerged on Friday that the USF has struck with its contract workers that resulted in an end to a chaotic strike.
The university issued a short statement in which it said workers were expected back at work next Monday following a successful meeting with the institution's management.
""Earlier today, the management of the University of the UFS reached an agreement with contract workers about negotiations towards outsourcing, as well as their concerns about conditions of employment with their employers,"" the statement said.
Some protests have also intensified racial tensions between black and white students.
At the UFS, for example, black students and workers who were disrupting a rugby match were attacked by white students on Monday.
Some ""political formations"" might be manipulating the violence for political gains, according to the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education.
But the Committee did not identify these ""political formations"" .
Student leaders belonging to the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) reportedly led some protests.
President Jacob Zuma has added its voice to the chorus of condemnation against the violence.
On Thursday, the president strongly appealed to protesters to act with utmost restraint and express their grievances within the confines of the law and Constitution.
""The burning of university buildings at a time when we are prioritizing the education of our youth is inexplicable and can never be condoned,"" Zuma said.
No amount of anger should drive students to burn their own university and deny themselves and others education, he said, adding that grievances should be handled in a peaceful manner.
Zuma directed the law enforcement agencies to work around the clock until those who engage in criminal activity are brought to book.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) also called on the law enforcement agencies to move swiftly to apprehend and charge those involved.
The party said the latest developments ""are a reflection of a failure of necessary leadership in dealing with disagreement from both students and management"".
It urged all stakeholders to immediately resolve their grievances peacefully with the intention to restore calm and return to normalcy.
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SUVA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Cuba is willing to offer assistance to Fiji in areas of common interest and strengthen existing diplomatic ties, a Cuban envoy said here Friday.
Mario Alzugaray, Cuba's non-resident ambassador to Fiji, expressed the willingness to strengthen ties while meeting Fiji's Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou in Suva, according to Fiji's Department of Information.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for discussions on outstanding sporting agreements and ways Fiji and Cuba can develop relations in areas of youth development.
Fiji signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cuba in 2012 regarding the recruitment of volleyball and boxing coaches, but the MoU was stalled as both countries are yet to identify an English-speaking candidate.
"There are some other legal contractual obligations Fiji is still to meet so we can go ahead and bring the Cuban coach to Fiji and we are working hard to finalize that this year," Tuitubou said.
Tuitubou and Alzugaray also discussed youth work in Cuba and possibilities of exchanging ideas in which Fiji can learn from Cuba's good practices.
"Cuba has an extensive area and youth program and we are willing to provide you with information you may require and pursue," Alzugaray told Tuitubou.
With the Look North policy in effect, Fiji has been expanding and strengthening ties with non-traditional partners all over the world.
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08.09.2018 03:26
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