Fire and drama at UJ

After many months of violent #feesmustfall and #endoutsourcing protests, UJ, among a few other universities, finally reached breaking point on Monday morning. As if Monday wasn’t hard to deal with already, former and current UJ students heard the shocking news that the auditorium, where so many had graduated and were yet to graduate, had been burned down.

Destroyed alongside the auditorium was the ELes computer labs, printing stations and the student finance halls (coincidence much?). Some theories surrounding this disaster were that 12 Fees Must Fall members were suspended earlier in May for protesting in solidarity, and they were most likely angered by this and decided to burn down the auditorium in order to be heard.

Whatever the reason was, the disaster caused R100-million damage, the inconvenience of students not being able to use the best computer labs on campus and the postponement of many graduation ceremonies. Let’s hope the University can get to the bottom of this before the whole place is burned down

…Even more fire and drama at Fort Hare University

Want more drama? Here you go.

Following in UJ's footsteps is Fort Hare University, which saw a building and a tent on fire on Wednesday. This fire had more solid reasons though, not that we condone it. The protest was about Centenary Celebrations, which would’ve taken place at the tent which was burned down. Students were upset that not all of their demands were met, and well we now know how that ended.

It’s everyone’s right to peaceful protests, but burning down the source of your education is definitely not okay. University property burned down will result in a hefty sum of money to cover the damage, and who will end up paying for this?

Bill Gates to give the annual Nelson Mandela lecture

Now that we’re done with the heavy topics, we can move on to the lighter side of the Trend Report. Even though South Africa was a target for disaster this week, we’ve been given the exciting news that Bill Gates will be giving the annual Nelson Mandela lecture at the University of Pretoria.

The Microsoft hotshot will be discussing the theme “Living together” at the Mamelodi campus on Sunday, 17 July, the eve of Nelson Mandela day and we’re thinking “sign us up!” Some of the previous speakers include Thomas Piketty, Michelle Bachelet and even Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

It’s an incredible honour to have the founder and billionaire coming to SA, but most of all we’re just glad a South African University managed to stay away from the flames.

University of Pretoria FTW!

Chris Brown is performing at the Durban July

In entertainment news, Chris Brown is performing at the Durban July this year, alongside other international acts. Breezy is sure to cause some controversy before, during or after his date with South African fans, but let’s let fans have their moment while it lasts.

As usual though, the real entertainment lies in the tweets posted by fans. Here are some of our favourites:

@KhanyaNkumanda: If your blesser can’t get you to this year’s DBN July to see #ChrisBrown hayi cha andazi (no no I do not know)

@Mis_Neyney: #ChrisBrown is going to be in Durban during the Durban July, I better sell my Kidney

@Kellz_Kylie: It’s time to OLX stuff for that ticket #ChrisBrown #MabalaNoise

Happy Friday, until next time!