Comrade??

Am I really a comrade? These politically-driven students keep referring to me as comrade. I'm confused. Am I a comrade just because I'm black or have they identified me to be in the same struggle they are in?

For anybody information. I am not a comrade of any organisation that is associated with the PYA (SASCO, ANCYL, YCL) in the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Comrade means that I am your fellow counterpart in your struggle. I do not deny that I am in a struggle. But it is definitely not he same struggle. You are fighting for the most of trivial of things. Your struggle has changed direction- it is no longer fighting for the rights of students but excusing those who have failed to responsibly utilise their rights. One must remember that with every right comes a responsibility.

We, the student community, should all fight for the students who were unfairly dismissed. Yes, we al know that unforseen circumstances do arise and affect our academic progress but we cannot keep blaming the elements of life for our failures. Our University offers us services to help us deal with almost all probems that may come our way. Plus, lectures aren't heartless bastards. They are more than willing to help. Students who are academically excluded appeal saying it is their poor background that did not prepare them for the University workload. Or family issues arise. One cannot use such excuses if one has not gone to seek help, which is usually the case. If you cannot cope there are avenues to help you reach your potential. In the working world, one cannot use these excuses. If you don't deliver- you're OUT!

Don't get me wrong. I'm saying that all exclusions are justified but we will never groom our country's people if we allow them to regress instead of progress. One should learn from their mistakes not be excused from them