South African universities are facing increasing pressure to divest from Israel, sparked by widespread student protests and calls from political leaders. On May 13, students at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) in Johannesburg set up a pro-Palestine encampment dubbed the “Liberated Zone.” This protest aimed to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and for the university to sever ties with Israeli-linked companies. Despite the university’s agreement to publicly condemn Israel’s military actions and call for a ceasefire, it resisted student demands for a full academic boycott and disclosure of its connections with Israeli institutions.
The protests at Wits University reflected a broader movement within South Africa, where the government has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause. South African universities have been urged by officials not to remain neutral and to implement academic boycotts similar to those imposed globally against apartheid South Africa. However, major institutions like Wits University and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have yet to fully commit to these demands. UCT, Africa’s highest-ranked university, has faced similar calls but remains undecided on severing ties with Israeli entities.
The encampment at Wits expanded to over 50 tents within days, serving as a hub for protest and solidarity activities. Despite this, university security eventually dismantled the camp, removing Palestinian flags and posters. The university’s management faced criticism for its limited response to student demands. Raees Noorbhai, spokesperson for the Wits Palestine Solidarity Committee, expressed disappointment at the university’s reluctance to fully adopt an academic boycott.
Inspired by similar movements at universities in the United States and Europe, South African student activists are determined to push their institutions towards greater transparency and solidarity with Palestine. Kouthar Hussain, a student from Johannesburg, highlighted the organic growth of the protest and the support it garnered once students were informed about global events. On the fourth day of the protest, students marched to the Wits University Senate, where they successfully lobbied for a vote supporting an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Despite this small victory, the university’s refusal to meet other demands, including the full disclosure of ties with Israeli institutions, led to further tension. Wits University management eventually threatened to evict the students from the encampment, citing possible academic exclusions for non-compliance. The students left the encampment peacefully but left behind symbolic reminders of the children killed in Gaza.
The movement at Wits University is part of a larger trend of increasing activism on South African campuses. Students at UCT also set up an encampment, calling for academic and financial boycotts of Israel. These actions follow a resolution by the UCT Senate calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and prohibiting academic collaborations with Israeli military-linked entities. Despite these efforts, the university council has yet to formally adopt these measures.
Other South African universities, such as the University of Fort Hare, have taken stronger stances, committing to avoid relationships with Israeli institutions. However, the overall response from South African universities remains cautious compared to the vocal support from the government.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has urged universities to emulate the global boycott of apartheid South Africa by taking a clear stance on Palestine. He criticized the neutrality of universities, emphasizing the need for solidarity given the destruction and loss of life in Gaza. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor echoed these sentiments, calling on South African students to lead by example in supporting Palestine, as they did in the fight against apartheid. Pandor praised the student efforts, highlighting the historical responsibility of South African educational institutions to provide moral and political leadership. She drew parallels between the current movement and the anti-apartheid boycotts that garnered international pressure against the South African government. As South African universities grapple with these demands, the student protests continue to emphasize the need for a principled stance and greater transparency in their ties with Israel. The movement reflects a growing global solidarity with the Palestinian cause and a call for action similar to the successful boycotts of apartheid-era South Africa.
