The “Fees Must Fall” campaign was the number one trending topic this week, and has become a massive social media movement.
But while thousands of students took to the streets to fight for their education, politicians and local celebrities were forced to eat some humble pie.
First up was rapper AKA, who took to Twitter to rant about why he would not put his weight behind the campaign, after receiving backlash for his support for the campaign against xenophobia.
Read: AKA not interested in #FeesMustFall situation
But then singer Simphiwe Dana called him and he made a U-turn.
Ok, scratch what I said ..... @simphiwedana just called me. I'm joining the students. #FeesMustFall #ListenToTheKids bro ...
— AKA (@akaworldwide) October 20, 2015
The Congratulate rapper quickly made his way to Wits University, but did not receive the warm welcome he expected. Some students chased the rapper away, and warned him that the protest was not for publicity.
Look at AKA and Simphiwe Dana being told to leave. #Wits #FeesMustFall pic.twitter.com/Dm2e9IdKj0
— #BurnItUp30thOct (@Gert_LeNinja) October 20, 2015
Askies!
AKA did not give up though, and continued to support the movement - finally winning over students.
#FeesMustFall (2015) vs #Apartheid (1989) ... 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/TLwfrY2ptb
— AKA (@akaworldwide) October 21, 2015
It's easy to stand by the students from the comfort of your keypad. Get involved however you can #FeesMustFall ✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/Ctet6GiLFF
— AKA (@akaworldwide) October 21, 2015
Things did not end so well for Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, who angered students and the nation when he told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday that the student protests were not a national crisis.
"The #FeesMustFall protests are not a crisis. They're just a challenge" - #BladeNzimande pic.twitter.com/YednUbffd8
— Babushi (@mohlale) October 19, 2015
One day later, hundreds of students broke through the gates of parliament and protested outside the National Assembly.
Inside parliament it was business as usual, but outside stun grenades were going off as police tried to get the massive crowd under control.
Things were not looking good for the minister and #BladeMustFall was soon trending on Twitter. Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for the minister, a video surfaced of him joking that #StudentsMustFall.
National Council of Provinces chairperson Thandi Modise also came under fire when she told reporters that police did not use brute force outside of parly.
@SAparliament show this to Thandi Modise pic.twitter.com/q3KQhS1UvO
— Masilo (@Le_Fancy) October 21, 2015
#NationalShutDown Thandi Modise.. pic.twitter.com/pkFSTlw3BR
— IG:Siphi_kuz (@Siphi_Kuz) October 21, 2015
Thandi Modise are you in South Africa ??? pic.twitter.com/KWVUvLyLUo
— SayNeo (@SayNeoSegal) October 21, 2015
And then the University of Cape Town had everyone confused when management cited the hashtag #FeesMustFall as a respondent in its case for an urgent interdict.
Wonder whether this is legal history being made, citing #FeesMustFall hashtag as responded in urgent interdict case. pic.twitter.com/14MMrxpZm3
— Pierre de Vos (@pierredevos) October 19, 2015
President Jacob Zuma is expected to meet with student leaders and university vice chancellors today. We’re not sure what the outcome will be, but some students have a suggestion.
#feesmustfall | Just saw this on Facebook. Hilarious. #zuma pic.twitter.com/fMuwtRxeiD
— GŃ—ηα (@0pinion8d) October 21, 2015
*sips tea*
Read: SA fashion supports #FeesMustFall campaign
*Our new weekly column, Time for Tea, takes a look at celebrity news making headlines. So grab yourself a cuppa, and join the conversation! #TimeForTea
Image credit: Instagram/@imraanchristian
