The Toxicity of Welfare State: Discourse Analysis of #FeesMustFall Movement in South Africa

South African universities experienced widespread fees protests which resulted in the closure of various institutions between 12 October 2015 and October 2016. This paper provides an insight into how South Africa has arrived at this juncture. During apartheid, the white government catered for the needs of white minority, resulting in the sharp skewed unequal distribution of wealth. After gaining power, the unity government led by the African National Congress (ANC) tried to bridge the gap of inequality by introducing the State Welfarism. This was done through the social security grant system. At university level, the government helped students to pay school fees through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). However, this method has been received with mixed feelings by the beneficiaries, resulting in recurring #FeesMustFall movement which started in 2015 and proceeded to 2016. This article deployed State Welfarism as the principal cause of the fees protests and provided a broader analysis of the historical development of welfarism to the cause of fees protests. The qualitative research approach was employed in the form of document review.CatNotes Formerly Ubuntu : Journal of Conflict and Social Transformation