Transformation of higher education : an examination of the perspectives of the leaders of the Wits Fees Must Fall movement

M.AAbstract: Historically South Africa has been a divided country due to Apartheid and colonialism, and as a result, institutions of higher education were no different. To create a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa, there have been calls and attempts at transformation as a tool for change in all institutions, including higher education. However, higher education institutions remain gendered, westernised and racialised, thus alienating a vast majority of people within them. This suggests that, coloniality prevails within higher education, which was being challenged by students through the Rhodes Must Fall and Fees Must Fall movement of 2015/16. Through the use of decolonial theory, this study examined conceptions of transformation from a student’s perspective. The study’s aim is to understand the governance, decision-making and institutional culture of the University of the Witwatersrand and examines the role and impact of student movements in transformation. Employing qualitative in-depth interviews, the perspectives of the Wits Fees Must Fall leaders on transformation of higher education was analysed using thematic content analysis. This analysis explores how existing governance and decision-making structures relate to the student movements. The study considers students as active components of institutions and historically as active agents of change. It argues that student experiences and views need to be understood to truly gain insight into transformation and the complex realities of institutional cultures, curricula, symbolisms and socio-political activities of universities. The report concludes by indicating that the voice of students is important for significant social change of universities and society to happen