When we first met Professor Goba, the CEO of the M.L. Sultan Technikon, he jokingly suggested that in our time in Durban, we might have the occasion to see a student demonstration, which usually involved a 'toi-toi' [the correct spelling may not be there, but that's the sound of it, so we're hooked on phonics in a way; if we learn that it's otherwise, from our upcoming Zulu language (isiZulu) classes, we may remember to correct this reference].  Anyway, the 'toi-toi' is a form of Zulu dance, maybe best described as stomp-dancing, involving considerable risk of shin-splints to the novice, one would think.  It is used in protest situations, pretty effectively since it is rhythmic motion that has a similar effect to a chant, and seems likely to get the point across that one is unhappy with whatever, rather better than walking around in a circle with a sing-song, 'hey, hey, whadya say, Goba's got to go today'.
     Well, we got to see it happen:  Over the last week, we were engaged in trying to come up with a proposal for executive management, to formulate a project which might get us going in our efforts to assist in the work of the Technikon.  The school itself, management in particular, were engaged in a stand-off with a small but vocal minority of the students, the relatively few active in the Student Representative Council, a body mandated by the laws governing public institutions of higher learning in South Africa.  Unfortunately for all concerned, the President of the SRC fell victim of Rule G-17, an academic good standing requirement, and was, in a word or two, kicked out of school.
     The SRC cadre took umbrage to this, and when his appeal (founded, it appears, on discriminatory effect of the rule against those pursuing degrees in his department -- it has to do with the number of flunks one can have, which operates without regard to the absolute number of passes one needs to graduate on time) was denied, the 'action' began.  Newspapers were of course notified; riot police entered the campus; but it was not, in truth, much of a storm.  Quite sad, in the end, since it came during term end (mid-semester) exams, which were directly and intentionally disrupted by the protesters; the school was closed for a few days in the period during which exams were to be taken, and just how this will be reconciled is not certain at this writing.
     It served as a reminder that we are on a college campus.  It seemed like a weird echo  of 30 years back.  We'll see how things go.