SA Frustrated over Nzimande Comparing Student Protests to a 'Soapie'

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 11:45 AM by Reeshni Chetty

- Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has annoyed Mzansi with his comments about the annual student protests

- Nzimande compared the protests against financial exclusion to the soapie The Bold and the Beautiful

- South Africans are using social media to express their disdain and frustration towards Nzimande during this trying time

PAY ATTENTION: Join Briefly News' Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has caused a ruckus once more with his words. Nzimande referred to the annual protests for free education as a 'soap opera, using The Bold and the Beautiful as an example.

Nzimande's comments follow nationwide protests at tertiary institutions against financial exclusion. Some have turned violent and resulted in various injuries while some universities are trying different ways to get the message across.

Nzimande was briefing Parliament’s Higher Education Oversight Committee about the ongoing protests around South Africa.

Read also

Durban University of Technology condemns violent clash outside campus

Nzimande compares annual students fees protests to 'soapie' — Blade Nzimande compared annual student protests to soapies recently. Images: Cornel van Heerden/Foto24/Gallo Images & Jeffrey Abrahams/Gallo Images
Source: Getty Images

According to Daily Maverick, Nzimande and the Higher Education Department are expected to meet with the South African Union of Students (SAUS) again. Nzimande and SAUS are reportedly planning to discuss demands by students and the national shutdown of universities.

South Africans have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts about Nzimande's recent comments. Read some of the posts below:

@lesego_louw said:

"Blade Nzimande says the fees protests were “the bold and the beautiful”. Does this man know someone died??! Mthokozisi was murdered and he thinks we’re a joke?! Yoh. This man must GO!"'

@LeratoMoo2 shared:

"For @lasizwe to replace Blade Nzimande, be a new minister and take over Blade's seat in parliament. We need young ministers with creative minds who are full of energy."

@Sefularo_Keamo wrote:

"Its Blade Nzimande comparing Fees Must Fall to the Bold and the Beautiful for him the NSFAS crisis is like a soapie. So we are acting and he's enjoying the drama."

Read also

SACP wants those who defy ConCourt laws to have action taken against them

@moesuttIe tweeted:

"People are risking being banned and expelled by institutions of higher learning and their lives for a basic human right and the person who is supposed to ensure that they get it says they are being dramatic? Yhu hayi BLADE NZIMANDE."

@iKingVele_Le added:

"Blade Nzimande really just compared the struggle of young people for access to education to a “boring daily soaps The Bold and the Beautiful”. This is the same man that has been a Minister for more than 5 years."

Previously, Briefly.co.za reported that Nzimande spoke about NSFAS beneficiaries and annoyed SA once more. Nzimande said that around 67% of NSFAS students are also SASSA beneficiaries.

Nzimande stated that this is a great achievement as this means that the "child grant is working" adding that students that may have not been able to study are now reaching the stage where they can apply for tertiary education.