#FeesMustFall Hashtag in South Africa Turns Into #FeesHaveFallen. But Have They? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Will youths living in slums like Joe Slovo shack settlement afford higher education in South Africa. Image source: http://tokolosstencils.tumblr.com/. Used with permission
Following #FeesMustFall nationwide protests that brought South African universities to a standstill, President Jacob Zuma met with student leaders on Friday, October 23, and announced that there will be a no fee hike. He also promised to look at broader issues affecting university students such as accommodation and racism. The deadline for the exam period has also been extended to make up for lost time.
The South African government intended to increase university tuition fees in 2016 by as much as 12 percent. Students opposed the hike, which would have kept poor South Africans from receiving higher education. The protests started at Witwatersrand University (also known as Wits) last Wednesday, October 14, and spread throughout South Africa.
The hashtag used by the protesters, #FeesMustFall, became an organising tool for students and their supporters. Carol Danvers acknowledged Twitter as one of the reasons for the success of the protest:
people love to downplay “internet activism” but without social media sites like twitter #FeesHaveFallen may have never happen
— ˗ˏˋ blige ˎˊ˗ (@THECAROLDANVERS) October 23, 2015
However, despite president Zuma's announcement, the struggle is not over yet as the president of Student Representative Council and one of the leaders of #FeesMustFall movement, Shaeera Kalla, pointed out:
I am already questioning what will happen next year, & the following? W/O a commitment to free education 0% fee increase isn't a victory.
— Shaeera Kalla #Oct14 (@shaeera_k) October 23, 2015
Questions have come up regarding the use of the hashtag to celebrate the announcement of the zero percent hike, #FeesHaveFallen. Some South Africans argue that the hashtag is misleading because the fees remain the same and are prohibitive to most South Africans.
Lethabo wondered if the fees have really fallen:
#FeesHaveFallen but like have they? I still can't afford to graduate because well, where am I going to get +/- R50 000…?
— more than Lethabo (@CallMeAfriKa) October 24, 2015
Tiyaselani predicted huge fee hikes in 2017:
@sliez0 you are absolutely right, the fees for 2017 will increase ka 20% watch #FeesHaveFallen
— Tiyiselani (@TiyaInnocent) October 24, 2015
Lord Zange Aphoswe reminded South Africans that:
If you are really woke you can't use #TUTmustFall or believe in #FeesHaveFallen . University is still expensive and inaccessible to many
— Lord Zange Aphoswe (@Mzo_XO) October 24, 2015
And warned against the confusing hashtag:
The Dangers Of A Hashtaged Stuggle #FeesMustFall Another Hashtag Can Be Made To Confuse The Masses #FeesHaveFallen . Fees Are Still High.
— Lord Zange Aphoswe (@Mzo_XO) October 24, 2015
Drewan Baird noted:
The reality is that #FeesHaveFallen has been hushed into FeesHaveNotFallen. Nothing's changed; something has been prevented.
— Drewan Baird (@DrewanBaird) October 25, 2015
Farieda Khan identified new area of focus for activists in South Africa:
#FeesHaveFallen & focus shld now be on forcing #ANCGovt to end #waste #extravagance #maladministration #corruption NOT finding more revenue!
— Farieda Khan (@FaredaVandeKaap) October 24, 2015
Goldman cautioned those who are demanding for free education:
Economics 101: Education “free” = unlimited demand. Everyone wants free stuff (even if they cannot really use it!).#FeesHaveFallen
— goldman (@goldmanstokvel) October 24, 2015
While Gugz Chantelle Nkosi expressed her fear:
Okay, the fees will not be raised, that's great. Now , our quality of education will be compromised. Are you happy now? #FeesHaveFallen
— Gugz Chantelle Nkosi (@Chantii_Lii310) October 25, 2015
The protests have provided key lessons to activists in other countries such as Boniface Mwangi in Kenya and Elnathan in Nigeria:
Activists in the rest of Africa can polish their organising skills with lessons from #FeesHaveFallen. People power. pic.twitter.com/kWWpOIutKq
— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) October 24, 2015
As #FeesHaveFallen in South Africa, common sense continues to fall in Nigeria among young people. Exciting times in Africa.
— Elnathan (@elnathan) October 23, 2015