Wits University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Habib has welcomed President Jacob Zuma’s announcement to freeze tertiary fees for 2016.

Zuma made the announcement during a televised broadcast in Pretoria.  

Habib says it’s a move in the right direction. "I definitely think we have got somewhere in resolving the huge challenges we have currently. I am optimistic that this will get the academic programme back on track."

Habib says the last couple of days have been quite hair-raising for all involved. "I think we have much to learn from this experience. It’s been quite a wake-up call for all of us. We need to listen more and wave our hands less."

Habib says it’s time to help the students move forward. "In going forward, we need to fix the structural crisis in our society. Let’s get the students back in the lecture rooms and get the exams going again."