University students at at least three of South Africa’s major universities are currently engaged in mass protests around academic fees, with social media spreading their grievances to a much wider audience.
The protests, which kicked off at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) late last week, have spread to Rhodes University, and the University of Cape Town. While each student body has unique demands, much of the unrest is around academic fee increases.
No ad to show here.
The current round of student action is just the latest in a series of demonstrations which have rocked university campuses across the country in 2015.
The use of the phrase “Must Fall” at the protests dates back to the Rhodes Must Fall movement, which was responsible for the removal of a statue of Cecil John Rhodes at UCT in the first half of 2015.
While some students are demanding that university fees be waived entirely, others are asking for a halt on fee increases and a change to university policies on the minimum payments that need to be made prior to the annual registration process.
The protests have produced a number of compelling images, some of which we’ve featured below:
Rhodes
At Rhodes University, students blockaded campus from the early hours of Monday morning, protesting the institution’s Minimum Initial Payment — a fee which students are required to pay at the beginning of the year in order to register. The fee represents a large percentage of each student’s annual fees.
The Vice Chancellor and management told to sit down!!! #RhodesMIPMustFall pic.twitter.com/5eerDVALj6
— Boo Boo Kitty (@v_zondek) October 19, 2015
Images from earlier this morning. #RhodesMIPMustFall #RhodesShutDown #FreeEducation #NationalShutDown #FeesMustFall pic.twitter.com/UtZJEkwV3m
— FeesMustFall (@Itz_Thulz) October 19, 2015
View from behind the blockade. #RhodesMIPMustFall pic.twitter.com/RfKCgj8RdN
— Activate (@ActivateOnline) October 19, 2015
The main blockade on Prince Alfred Street. #RhodesMIPMustFall pic.twitter.com/GOo2ws1am4
— Activate (@ActivateOnline) October 19, 2015
Students have been burning tires at the blockades they've set up. Police are present. #RhodesMIPMustFall pic.twitter.com/1mxdXHJQUs
— Activate (@ActivateOnline) October 19, 2015
Students also have iziko at each entry point. #RhodesMIPMustFall #RUShutDown pic.twitter.com/5TduAeKfev
— . (@WoleSoyink) October 19, 2015
We are very clear. We are saying #RhodesMIPMustFall sizohlala ngenkani asiyindawo. pic.twitter.com/J28iK067zj
— #RhodesMIPMustFall (@SiyaNyulu) October 19, 2015
UCT
As well as fee structures, UCT students are protesting the university’s use of outsourced staff at the institution.
Students are splitting up to reinforce barricades at entrances around campus. #UCTShutdown pic.twitter.com/BDzdQL4HEE
— Jerusha Raath (@JerushaRaath) October 19, 2015
The group is making its way to Upper Campus. #UCTShutdown pic.twitter.com/5HBm3TULin
— Jerusha Raath (@JerushaRaath) October 19, 2015
Feel like we've seen this wagging finger before somewhere.. #EndOutsourcing #FeesMustFall #UCTShutdown pic.twitter.com/YAdedzgn21
— Rhodes Must Fall (@RhodesMustFall) October 19, 2015
Empty parking lot of Upper Campus
#UCT is shutting down!
#UCTShutDown pic.twitter.com/qYsSC69WIk
— #PatriarchyMustFall (@UCT_PMF) October 19, 2015
…look at love. look at revolution 
— c.r.e.a.m. (@sofirstofall) October 19, 2015
This is one of the entrances to upper campus this morning. #UCTShutdown @IOL pic: Henk Kruger pic.twitter.com/3Fkpoe8YLK
— Cape Argus (@TheCapeArgus) October 19, 2015
The university shuttle service has been shutdown too. #UCTshutdown pic.twitter.com/9jbUskPzxU
— raeesa pather (@raediology) October 19, 2015
Wits
The latest round of protests kicked off at Wits, with the main concern being a proposed 10.5% fee increase for students.
This is power! #WitsFeesMustFall #WitsShutDown pic.twitter.com/hW9I4qUb9j
— WitsPYA #Oct14 (@WitsPYA) October 14, 2015
#WitsShutDown: Student Protest Brings South African University to a Standstill https://t.co/irsv3QxsDT pic.twitter.com/V3u8jg1Dej
— zellie (@zellieimani) October 16, 2015
The #WitsFeesMustFall #WitsShutDown march only starts at 12. Yet we already seeing some powerful images. Matla 
— Simamkele Dlakavu (@simamkeleD) October 14, 2015
#WitsFees #WitsShutDown Students sitting in the middle of the road ,blocking movement in & out of the university.KG pic.twitter.com/672vusv07l
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) October 14, 2015
So inspiring to see #WitsFeesHaveFallen campaign led by 2 women @shaeera_k @Ulo_Mkat salute sisters!! pic.twitter.com/Up2B4TdASr
— Mommunist (@adi_peltz) October 17, 2015
To date this is the most powerful picture I've seen since the beginning of #WitsFeeMustFall #WitsFeesHaveFallen . pic.twitter.com/RFLD5wcc4a
— Heyzeus (@St_Tsheps) October 17, 2015
When two opposing parties have one dream…Matla! #WitsFeesHaveFallen pic.twitter.com/PzrLgSyGrD
— MantsoePout-Nomzamo (@MantsoePout) October 17, 2015
Madam cadre leader 
— Nhlonipho Sig Nkosi (@Nipho_Reserved) October 17, 2015
Feature image: Boo Boo Kitty via Twitter.
