By: Zimaseka Daka
Classes are on a stand still at Buffalo City TVET College. This follows after students gathered outside the main campus on Monday morning, complaining about unhealthy and dirty residences including food allowance that they have not received from the college since the 9th of January.
Student Representative Council president Nomalungisa Mtyaphi confirmed the students grievances, she said students were suppose to receive their food allowances on the 9th of January which is the day they were allocated into their residences by school management.
¨The students have decided to strike after not receiving their NSFAS funds. When we checked with management on what the delay was about, we were told that the school has not found a service provider to allocate funds and NSFAS has not given money to the school yet¨.
Mtyaphi said after attending a meeting with the management to report their grievances, management promised the students that food allowances will be sent through their bank accounts in the meantime until they find service provider but after meeting with the CFO they were told that it will be unfair for the students who are staying in residence to get allowance when students that don’t stay on campus are still waiting for their transport allowances.
A students from BCC who does not want to be mentioned by name said their residences are a health hazard to students. ¨We have to use dirty toilets that do not flush, there are more than 600 students in the residence who have to share 6 showers. We are also unable to use the kitchen because it is flooded with water. As students we want to know what the college has done with the money they receive from government to maintain the residences¨. The student added that they have been complaining about these issues for the past six years with no results, she further pleaded with management to hear the pleas of the students.
Buffalo City TVET College Principal Mr. DR Singh was not available for comment.