Press Release: FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE
MTHWAKAZI STUDENTS FORM UNION
We hereby give birth to the establishment of Mthwakazi Student´s Congress herein abbreviated as
(MASCO). MASCO will ensure Mthwakazi students get access to educational opportunities. In a
ccordance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the right to
education includes an obligation to develop equitable access to higher education. In addition to the
access to education provisions, the right to education encompasses also the obligation to eliminate
discrimination at all levels of the educational system, to set minimum standards and to improve
quality.
One of MASCO’s main goals is to mitigate the institutional obstacles faced by the most deprived in
Mthwakazi society. One main approach we take is the establishment of chapters in tertiary
institutes and educational projects in such communities. We believe education is essential to a
community’s development.
After years of marginalization and severe structural genocide in the academic, political, social and
economic arena. We are proud to announce the formation of MASCO. MASCO is a new student´s
congress that caters for the students of Mthwakazi both in tertiary and the lower levels. MASCO
strives to propel the academic excellence of the young people of Mthwakazi, it stands to also
protect the academic interests of the young Mthwakazi nationals.
Our philosophical framework is centred on the belief that all men are created equal and by that
principle they deserve equal opportunities. Noting that our people have been structurally
marginalized and disadvantaged in the academic platform and thus crippling the advancement of
our society we strongly set our vision on the premise of EDUCATING, EMANCIPATING and
LIBERATING.
Spearheaded by an interim committee MASCO works in all universities and colleges which have
Mthwakazi nationals across the world. We work through chapters that are headed by chapter
PREMIERS. Currently we have established a few chapters in universities and colleges locally
regionally and internationally. We look forward to expanding our networks to other universities and
colleges that have Mthwakazi nationals.
MASCO will be officially launched on the 17
th of November 2012 at a venue to be disclosed. The 17
th of November commemorates the anniversary of the 1939 Nazi storming of the University of
Prague after demonstrations against the killing of student Jan Opletal and worker Vaclav
Sedlacek as well as against the occupation of Czechoslovakia, and the execution of nine student
leaders, over 1,200 students sent to concentration camps, and the closure of all Czech
universities and colleges at a demonstration that was held on the 28th of October to
commemorate the anniversary of the independence of the Czechoslovak Republic. During this
demonstration the student leader Jan Opletal was shot and died from wounds on the 11th of
November. On the 15th of November his body was meant to be transported from Prague back to
his home in Moravia. His funeral procession consisted of thousands of students, who turned this
event into an anti-Nazi demonstration. However, this resulted in drastic measures being taken by
the Nazis. All Czech higher education institutions were closed down, more than 1,200 students
were arrested and sent to concentration camps, and nine students and professors were executed
without trial on the 17th of November. Due to this, 17 November was chosen as International
Students’ Day.
As such we have chosen this day due to the similar suffering our nation has suffered in all
spheres of life.
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