A decade after the iconic #FeesMustFall movement, the struggle for student rights, accessible education, and decolonized curricula continues. The Student Activist Support Center (SASC) was founded as a direct response to the enduring challenges faced by student activists across Southern Africa and beyond. Our mission is simple: to ensure that no activist stands alone.
The #FeesMustFall movement, which erupted in South Africa in 2015, was a pivotal moment in the fight for educational justice. What started as a call for free and decolonized education quickly transformed into a global movement that underscored the power of student-led activism. Yet, the very voices demanding change have faced severe consequences—arrests, expulsion, violence, and even exile. This systemic repression of student activists has sparked a pressing need for structured support.
SASC was born from the collective will of the Southern African Students Union (SASU) Congress, held in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2024. Recognizing the critical need for resources, legal aid, and safe spaces, SASC aims to provide an unwavering lifeline to student activists who face persecution for standing up for their rights. Our center serves as a documentation hub, protection network, research institute, and relocation facilitator, amplifying the voices of students in the fight for human rights, social justice, and democracy.
What is our Purpose?
At SASC, we are driven by a clear and ambitious purpose: to protect, document, research, and support student activists who are under threat for their activism. We believe in a world where every student has the freedom to advocate for their future without fear of persecution. To this end, we focus on:
- Documentation: We collect and publicize cases of persecution and human rights violations against student activists, ensuring that their struggles are seen, heard, and remembered.
- Protection: We provide legal aid, emergency safe spaces, and mental health support for activists at risk, ensuring their safety and well-being.
- Research: We conduct vital research into the socio-political impacts of student activism, contributing evidence-based recommendations to policymakers and civil society.
- Relocation: For activists facing imminent danger, we facilitate relocation opportunities to safe environments where they can continue their education and activism without fear.
Why SASC?
The challenges that student activists face today are not unlike those encountered during the #FeesMustFall protests. Students continue to face police brutality, expulsion, and legal threats simply for raising their voices against systemic injustices. In many cases, universities and governments employ surveillance and disciplinary measures designed to silence dissent. Unfortunately, this lack of institutional memory erases the contributions of student activists from the historical record.
SASC is here to ensure that these voices are not forgotten. We are committed to protecting student activists across Southern Africa and beyond, offering them the resources and safe spaces they need to continue their advocacy.
Key Areas of Focus
- Documentation: We create a centralized database to track incidents of harassment, arrests, and violence. We partner with human rights organizations to amplify the stories of student activists, ensuring they are not overlooked.
- Protection: Beyond legal aid, we provide emergency housing and psychological support for activists facing immediate threats. We also offer capacity-building programs to enhance digital and physical security, ensuring activists can safely continue their work.
- Research and Advocacy: Through comprehensive research, we uncover the deeper socio-political and economic impacts of student activism. Our findings inform policy development, advocating for the protection and empowerment of young leaders.
- Relocation: We facilitate opportunities for student activists to continue their education and advocacy in safe countries. By partnering with international universities and organizations, we provide scholarships, legal aid, and logistical support for those who are forced to leave their home institutions due to political persecution.
Together for Change: Tuwajibike, Nous Sommes Unis, Estamos Juntos, Tuungane
At SASC, we firmly believe that student activists are the catalysts for change in society. Our center stands to help student activists navigate the challenges they face and ensuring that their voices are not silenced. By documenting, protecting, and amplifying their stories, we contribute to the broader struggle for human rights, democracy, and justice in Southern Africa.
Our work is only possible through collaboration with key stakeholders, including universities, human rights defenders, and civil society organizations. Together, we can ensure that no activist is left behind in the fight for equality, and that the future of activism remains bright, bold, and fearless.