'Jacob Zuma is a crook'- Twitter reacts to 'free education' announcement

2017-12-16 10:10

Pam Magwaza

It was the announcement that students across the country have been relentlessly fighting for over the past three years.

President Jacob Zuma finally announced that education would now be free for students from poor and working class households – that is homes with the combined maximum annual income of R350 000, as reported by News24.

This comes during the ANC elective conference, which will conclude with the election of a new ANC president.

- Read more: Zuma's sinister reason for announcing free higher education

With all the protests, social media hashtags and unceasing campaigning that has gone on since 2015 for #FeesMustFall, one would think that people would react more positively to the announcement. But some Twitter users believe that the ANC president has a "hidden agenda".

Here are some of the tweets that have emerged since the announcement.

Jacob Zuma is a crook, he knows that Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma lost already & now he's throwing Cyril Ramaphosa under the bus so that students can take it to the streets as soon as he becomes President. #ANC54 #FreeEducation #FeesMustFall #ANCConference

— Man's Not Barry Roux (@AdvBarryRoux) December 16, 2017

So fees have fallen for 90% of tertiary students. NSFAS loans to be converted into grants? Not so long aga #HeherCommission said free higher education was not feasible. So where will the money come from? #feesmustfall

— Ms. Siya Miti (@SiyaMiti) December 16, 2017

I'm not ready to be excited. Last time ubaba spoke of Free Education he was talking about making cuts in other departments and that's not what we want. We remain concerned members of the community before we are students. We still need health, housing etc. #FeesMustFall

— Kaamil Alli (@kaamil_alli) December 16, 2017

For over 2 years we spoke about free higher education. we held strikes. some of us we shot at #feesmustfall and @MYANC & Zuma brushed it off. Today on a whim, in the hopes of gaining favour with the voters, he announces free higher education.nxa!#ANCConference2017 #ANC54

— Peter Mbele ???? (@p3t3_r3c0n) December 16, 2017

That was the announcement they saved up for #NDZ17 but since now he sees she might not win he decided to save his legacy by making this announcement throwing #CR17 under the bus to implement it. This man is Clever #FeesMustFall #DayOfReconciliation

— ukhanki (@TboozeSA) December 16, 2017

If you think that free higher education is attainable after this desperate announcement, you are as delusional as the one announcing. #FeesMustFall. #ANC54

— YourDad'sBae (@missnozipho) December 16, 2017

I can't help but question the timing of the free higher education announcement... perhaps a ploy by #Zuma to ensure NDZ takes power? #ANC54 #FeesMustFall

— Michelle Kinnear (@michellejohn33) December 16, 2017

Zuma is using our legitimate struggle to get votes for #NDZ #FeesMustFall Why announce in the middle of the ANC conference.

— Naleli (@NaleliMorojele) December 16, 2017

This is going to backfire on the ANC, R350K is nothing,All this is, is a chess move from lobaba nxa, he doesn't care about the youth & our struggles. #FeesMustFall

— Bongani Mathebula (@BongsMathebula) December 16, 2017

Other students, however, were more than happy to accept the announcement and see it as a win for the movement regardless of the politics involved.

#FeesMustFall - you did it! Whether he's playing politics or not, this is a momentous victory for all the students who've been part of the historic #FeesMustFall - now to decolonize the curriculum & make it more inclusive.

— Time Traveller (@Anele_Nzimande) December 16, 2017

Now that #FeesMustFall achieved its goal of free education, will you go and study and use the opportunities you have been given? Go and be great, you have no more excuses!!! African child, your dreams are valid ???????

— #TheNapsta (@thenapstacomedy) December 16, 2017

Guys!!!! #FeesMustFall wasn't in vain????????????????it wasn't in vain????????????????

— 2018's Champion?? (@ZanelePotelwa) December 16, 2017

We don't care who announces or when free education is announced, ours is to exploit the announcement because it will benefit our people. We will deal with the rest later. #FeesMustFall #ANC54

— ECuba bafunda Mahala! (@AndiswaMadikazi) December 16, 2017

I'm so glad that means my son will also qualify for the subsidy for higher education. Thank you to all the students who sacrificed their time to study and went on the streets for #feesmustfall

— LindelwaM (@lfmakhubalo) December 16, 2017

I'm glad I was part of the students in forfront, ready to be shot at if need be, fighting for poor people to get education, free education and today SA presidency heard our cry. Thank you to the brave ones who fought #feesmustfall

— Kabelo Hlubi (@akhlubi) December 16, 2017