The protest against police brutality in Stellenbosch on the University campus. Rooiplein.
According to me it was not really a rally or a protest but rather a public speaking. Some people said a few words and then the mayor of Stellenbosch said a few words and then the entire thing was finished.
It kind of sucks that only 4 people had the chance to speak. But I guess those 4 people has some influence and they will be using it. I only realized afterwards that the rally / protest in Stellenbosch was held by the DASO or something like that. No idea what it means but ok. The one guy was a bit annoying. His speech was all about the students, the students but I am not a student and there is a bunch of people that was also not students. I thought this was aimed for everyone in South Africa to join but obviously I was wrong. It was just for students of the DA.
DASO is the student division of the Democratic Alliance
It was not only for DA students. The Democratic Allaince Student Organisation (DASO) merely facilitated and organised the rally, as one of the objectives in their constitution is to protect student rights. The initiative was also organised by various other campus organisations, the most prominent of which was Adam Tas, the society for Afrikaans Culture on campus. Everyone was welcome to join them in protest. Obviously they were going to have some of their propaganda there, they might as well promote their organisations while protesting.
The rally held on Friday was the most constructive form of student activism yet witnessed. It would be slightly primitive to ignore the reality that this was the most appropriate platform from which to further the process, i.e. getting the municipality’s support.
Also, this was originally a DASO initiative, but was run on apolitical grounds. It would be slightly ignorant to articulate that it was a DASO rally, as all posters/marketing/banners was done along neutral grounds and in conjunction with Adam Tas and the SRC.
I dont know how much of the rally you attended, as the emphasis on a “national dialogue for human rights abuses” were constantly mentioned. The petition itself, as read by the official convenor, clearly states that “we realise this is not an isolated incident, or one that only affects students”.
I am aware that many people, including yourself, feel strongly about this matter, but remember that not appealing to the correct authorities will get you nowhere, and will only be deconstructive to what you wish to achieve. The revolutionary must always first buy the train ticket…
I was also there. I felt that it is important to involve us (as students) as we were involved, even though I am not actually part of the DA (which also confused me, this is more human rights than politics surely?).
But in spite of what he said, this IS a national crisis and involves most of the Stellenbosch community in particular. I think he went a little overboard in speaking to students and not community, myself. Possibly due to our involvement? But because one guy focused on a smaller group doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to join against this. I hope he didn’t turn you off this, as South Africa needs all the people it can get to stand up for what is right.
Hi!
The DASO is the DA Student Organisation. The reason that it was very DA is that the protest rally was organised by the DA. The reason it was very student orientated is that the majority of the effected people (of this specific incident) were students. I would like to add that if you were there, as you state you were, then you would’ve heard the SRC leader speaking about all South Africans and how we protest police brutality, not just because it happened in Stellenbosch, but because it happened. Point Blank. I’m glad you were there and showed your support, I’m sorry you felt that it wasn’t held for your rights. I believe it was, but that’s just my p.o.v. You don’t have to be a student of Stellenbosch University or a member of the DA to realise that the actions of the police were inexcusable and you rallying with the students shows that. Thanx for your support!