Weekly student news wrap – June 27

In this week’s wrap, we share news of student protests against tax hikes in Kenya, students facing eviction as they struggle to receive funds from NSFAS, a proposed GBV register for universities and the arrest of a Durban University of Technology (DUT) employee accused of rape. News from around the world includes Pope Francis being called on to stop using anti-LGBTQIA+ language and a case of AI stealing a Ukrainian student’s identity.

Youth drive protests against Kenyan finance bill

Kenya is currently witnessing a significant youth-led protest movement against the Finance Bill 2024. This movement, driven primarily by Gen Z protesters, has successfully mobilised thousands of young people through social media platforms like TikTok. The protests, dubbed “#OccupyParliament” and “#RejectFinanceBill2024”, are a response to proposed tax hikes that many believe would disproportionately affect the country’s economically struggling youth.

The movement’s impact has been large, with protesters live-streaming confrontations with police, who have used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Over 200 protesters were arrested during a major demonstration on June 18, 2024, but many were later released following legal interventions. The demonstrators have used various digital tools, including spreading lists of MPs’ phone numbers to flood them with messages urging the rejection of the bill

In a surprising turn, David Ndii, a key advisor to President William Ruto, praised the Gen Z activists for their effective use of digital activism, despite previously dismissing online efforts as ineffective. This acknowledgement highlights the significant influence of youth-driven digital campaigns on contemporary political discourse in Kenya.

The pressure exerted by these protests has led the government to scrap several contentious provisions of the bill, including a proposed 16% VAT on bread. However, debates and discussions continue, with the opposition calling for the complete withdrawal of the bill, which it says is punitive.

Kenya’s youth-led protest movement leaves Ruto fumbling for a response Reuters, June 26
New faces of protest – Kenya’s Gen Z anti-tax revolutionaries – Yahoo News, June 21
Ruto’s advisor Ndii changes tune, praises Gen Zs for successful protests – Politics 254, June 19
Kenya scraps bread tax as protesters tear-gassed – BBC, 18 June

NSFAS payment failures lead to evictions

The Sowetan reported recently that landlords are evicting students during midyear exams due to non-payment of rent by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Despite NSFAS assurances, landlords have not received payments for months. Students from institutions like Ehlanzeni TVET College and the University of KwaZulu-Natal are affected, with some forced to sleep in classrooms. National Students Forum president Keamogetswe Masike noted nearly 500 students were facing eviction threats.

This issue is part of a broader, persistent problem with NSFAS plagued by recurring delays and mismanagement of funds. In recent months, there have been many student protests against NSFAS’s new direct payment system, which has worsened the situation, leading to evictions and significant disruptions in students’ lives and education

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande dissolved the board in April following several resignations, including that of the chairperson. Despite these changes, NSFAS has confirmed that allowances will continue to be paid as scheduled. The scheme is also transitioning to a direct payment system to streamline the disbursement process and resolve past issues with service providers.

NSFAS to pay allowances this week following evictions – Skills Portal, June 24
Landlords evict students as NSFAS fails to pay again – Sowetan, June 21
Student accommodation at TVET colleges ‘inferior’ – Sunday World, June 24
NSFAS scrambles to prevent student evictions – Careers Portal, June 10
NSFAS to remove four service providers over payment issues – SABC News, May 28
Political parties react to NSFAS board being dissolved – SABC News, April 12

Proposed GBV register for universities

A Ministerial Task Team in South Africa has recommended the creation of a national register to track gender-based violence (GBV) offenders within higher education institutions. This initiative aims to improve the safety and well-being of students by ensuring that those guilty of GBV are held accountable and that their offences are recorded to prevent them from being hired by other institutions. This proposal is part of broader efforts to address and reduce GBV in universities, including the provision of counselling and support for victims.

Task team proposes National Register and stricter policies to combat GBV in South African universities – Radio Islam, June 7
South Africa’s fight against GBV expands to universities – Global Citizen, May 31

DUT employee arrested on rape accusation

A senior housing staff member at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) was arrested for allegedly raping a 19-year-old first-year student. The incident occurred at the student’s residence on Quarry Road. The suspect, a 44-year-old man known to the victim, was apprehended by Durban police following the report of the violent attack. The Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) and the South African Students Congress (SASCO) have expressed outrage and called for justice, condemning the incident as a reflection of pervasive gender-based violence in society.

The university has assured that it is fully cooperating with the police investigation and providing necessary support to the affected student. This case has highlighted the urgent need for improved safety measures within educational institutions to prevent such incidents. The accused appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, marking the beginning of the legal proceedings (Surge Zirc) (The Pink Brain).

DUT employee arrested for allegedly raping student – East Coast Radio, June 21
Cops arrest university employee for rape – Scrolla Africa, June 21
DUT student’s rape sheds light on hidden culture of sexual violence – Sunday World, June 23

Student asks Pope to stop being offensive

During a recent panel discussion, a student from the Philippines, Jack Lorenz Acebedo Rivera, urged Pope Francis to stop using anti-LGBT language, specifically addressing the use of the Italian term “frociaggine,” which translates to a derogatory term for gay people. The student highlighted the pain and exclusion faced by the LGBTQIA+ community due to such language, sharing his own experiences of being bullied for his bisexuality and identity as a child of a single parent.

In response, Pope Francis condemned discrimination, particularly against women, but did not directly address the issue of his alleged homophobic language. The Vatican had previously issued a rare apology following the reported incident, yet the controversy has continued, damaging the Pope’s image as a reformer and advocate for LGBT rights. Vatican spokespeople have not commented further on the matter.

Pope told off by student for using anti-LGBTQ language – BBC, June 21

Student tells Pope Francis to stop using anti-LGBT language – Reuters, June 21

AI steals student’s identity to sell Russian candies in China

A Ukrainian student named Olga Loiek recently found herself the subject of a disturbing AI-generated misinformation campaign. After launching a YouTube channel, Loiek discovered that her image had been appropriated and altered using artificial intelligence to create multiple digital avatars on Chinese social media. These avatars, such as one named “Natasha,” portrayed Loiek as a Russian woman fluent in Chinese, praising China and Russia while promoting products like Russian candies. These AI-generated personas gained hundreds of thousands of followers, significantly more than Loiek’s actual online presence.

This incident highlights the increasing concerns over the misuse of AI technology for creating and spreading false information. The fake accounts leveraged the geopolitical context of the Russia-China relationship, exploiting Loiek’s image to disseminate pro-Russian propaganda and sell products. Experts warn that such technology is becoming more common and poses significant risks for privacy and misinformation. Regulatory efforts, such as China’s draft guidelines for AI and the European Union’s AI Act, aim to address these challenges. Still, the rapid pace of AI development continues to outstrip these measures.