This is not what we fought for!

“It was the best of times it was the worst of times” these words best describe 21 Oct 2015 for me. On this day I had the privilege, and I mean privilege, of being with the protesting students #rhodesmustfall outside the South African parliament. They were amazing, very organised, using technology to the max (many businesses could be so much more efficient if they spent some time with them) and tremendously sharp clear thinking and light.

They were also very disciplined it was interesting to watch how, in spite of hours of provocation by police, trying to get them to respond violently they did not.  At one point 4 SAPS vans drove through the group of 200 students.  As one student said, the most ‘violent’ they were was throwing water and empty plastic water bottles at the parliament. It did not last long either. This is an intelligent and not militant crowd.  Clearly they understand what it means to work smarter not harder!  When later the students felt threatened by SAPS just before they were shot at, some wanted to run and others urged for calm simply using arm gestures and the crowd calmed down. 

There is no one leader, they are a collective leadership model using good judgement, trust and clear communication. I saw lots of quick consulting as decisions were made.  The spirit of tolerance and inclusivity in the group is phenomenal and what we dreamt of back in the day – LGBTI, straight, white, black all working together in unison and making things work! These children are amazing and I have one just like them too, she is born in 1992, with similar qualities.  Their focus is solid and there is no room for hijackers, they were open and warm because we were there to support them. I felt like I was seeing a different variety of human being!  They are inspiring, though fat cats gripped in fear do not agree with me.

The assault shown in the media, took place as the students and the rest of us were moving toward busses and the train station. They had blocked Plein Street which was the shortest route to the station.  So we all moved along the route the police designed by blocking off roads and thus ushering us into Roeland Street and the rush hour traffic. We had left the riot police behind us, standing in front of parliament.  Suddenly they were at the intersection at Buitekant Street and pushed the crowd further along Roeland then announced you have “60 seconds to walk away”. A statement that made no sense when we were actually busy walking away!  The students were now standing with hands in the air facing the police. They then shot and attacked students in the full view of the rush traffic.  Students were beaten and shot at and some arrested.  Rights were further violated when the SAPS decided to keep them in the Hippos and not take them to the police station.  I assisted one student via telephone who was having a panic attack in the van.  When they were released around midnight to cheers and singing one was crying uncontrollably another, shook uncontrollably. 

If you think this is poorly written it’s because I am still reeling 2 days later.  After a few minutes after hearing the first gunshot, I felt like crying and I thought, I have seen this before, this is 1985 all over again, this is not what we fought for!  

#rhodesmustfall #feesmustfall #nationalshutdown