GOOD Statement by Kaden Arguile,
GOOD National Youth Chairperson
15 April 2025
The GOOD Party condemns the tragic incident at Walter Sisulu University’s Mthatha campus that has resulted in the loss of a student’s life. No dispute at an institution of higher learning should ever escalate to the point of violence, let alone the loss of life.
It has been alleged that a residence manager opened fire on a group of protesting students as they approached his home. The students were reportedly raising concerns about the poor conditions in their campus residence—an issue that reflects broader systemic failures across our higher education sector.
Tensions at South African universities have been intensifying in recent years, and it is deeply alarming that pursuing an education can come at the cost of personal safety. The university experience should be one of intellectual growth, cultural exchange, and empowerment—not fear and trauma.
Instead, the South African reality for many students is marred by financial exclusion, accommodation crises, and administrative inefficiency. These issues must not be normalized. Our youth already face a daunting future marked by limited job opportunities and high unemployment rates, even after earning their degrees. Reform in the higher education sector is not optional—it is critical to reversing this bleak trajectory.
Today’s events have sparked further protests across the campus, underscoring the urgent need for calm, sensitivity, and decisive leadership. We call on the university’s administration to act with compassion and accountability in addressing student grievances and restoring peace.
The GOOD Party stands with the students and calls for a full investigation into this incident. Justice must be served, and real change must follow.
Media enquiries: media@forgood.org.za