“During the apartheid era there was no channel for negotiation. Now that there is such a channel, students don’t have to protest immediately, when something is wrong” — Benedict Radebe, 19, BSc first year
“A lot of the protesting isn’t justified. Here at Wits, it hasn’t been about genuine student grievances, but more about a power struggle between students and authorities. A lot of protesters are concerned with replacing top management at the university. [the protesting] is more racially polarised now than before 1990.” — James Hamilton, 26, member of staff and student
“I haven’t really been affected by it. But education is where things happen, so you expect these kinds of results. Most students here want to study, and the group who is protesting is a small one. The issue of financial exclusion isn’t valid — everyone has to pay to come here, and it’s hard for a lot of people to find jobs, but there’s no way around it.” — Bridget Maddison, student
“The new government justifies protesting, but only if you protest the way they want you to.” — Joshua Mushi, 22, BA Hons
“I think Mandela is trying to satisfy white South Africans.” — Sam Matsimela, 21, Mechanical Engineering 3rd year
“During the eighties students could hope for very little, but now students feel that if they partake in protest action, it could have a bad influence on their careers. There is an individualistic approach now. Students want to get on with their studies, get a degree, and join the commercial world. Student politics are on the decline, and from what I’ve seen, things won’t change.” — Lawrence Khoza, 24, Hons Political Science