The payment for university fees became a flashpoint for widespread protests in South Africa, where the government has struggled to provide jobs, education, and housing for most of the population since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Violent clashes with police unfolded on campuses in Johannesburg and across the country, forcing the interruption of the academic year and the shutdown of several universities in the country.
In mid-October 2015, a student-led protest movement began in response to an increase in fees at South African universities. The protests started at the University of Witwatersrand(Wits) and spread to various other universities including the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University. The protests resulted in widespread damage and destruction, accompanied by strong-armed police intervention.
The 2015 protest ended when it was announced by the South African government that there would be no tuition fee increases for 2016…
