From chanting “Justice for Cwecwe” to serial killer scares, rising gender-based violence, police officers holding their families hostage, a woman killing her seven-year-old son for an insurance payout, hit-and-run accidents, taxi versus Uber clashes, the shocking assassination of American activist Charlie Kirk, and even a Russian scholarship that turned out to be a human trafficking trap, it feels like we are all extras in a movie none of us auditioned for. One question remains: how safe are we, really? Safety on campus is a gamble at every turn.
Two weeks ago, a UP student lost their life in a hit-and-run. The driver fled and no one has been held accountable. Like most tragedies, it trended briefly on TikTok and then disappeared into the void. However, for students, the risks remain prominent and real. “We cannot continue losing students on our roads because robots are broken or because reckless drivers face no consequences,” said Mary William, a second-year UP student. “It feels like no one cares enough to fix small things that could save lives.”
Broken traffic lights have become a part of student life in Hatfield. Every late-night walk back home feels like stepping onto a set where danger awaits off-screen. “Every evening, I have to cross those dead robots, and I hold my breath,” shared Kabelo Mokwena, a third-year Political Sciences student. “It is like gambling with your life.”
The Charlie Kirk Assassination: Violence Without Borders
The anxiety over safety is not just a South African reality. On 10 September, thousands of students at Utah Valley University watched in horror as Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was killed during a campus event. He had barely been speaking for 20 minutes when gunfire erupted.
The FBI arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who now faces charges of aggravated murder, in connection with the shooting. For students around the world, the incident was chilling. “If someone that well-known and surrounded by security can be killed, what chance do we have as ordinary students walking home at night?” asked Thandeka Mbele, a fourth-year UP student.
Some students also reflected on Kirk’s controversial career and the power of his platform. “I did not always understand why Charlie Kirk spoke the way he did, and I know some people were unmoved by his opinions,” said Sipho Ncube, a first-year UP student. “I feel sorry [that] he died that way and I would not wish it on my worst enemy. However, I also think it serves as a reminder that freedom of speech is powerful, and we should use it responsibly and wisely.”
Kirk’s death has reignited global debates about political violence, freedom of expression, and whether public spaces, even those meant for debate and learning, can ever be truly safe again.
The Russian “Scholarship” That Turned Into a Trap
Back home, the viral “Russian scholarship” that had South African TikTok buzzing earlier this year has proven to be a nightmare. Marketed as the “Alabuga Start” programme, it promised free flights, accommodation, and education opportunities in Russia. Cyan Boujee and many other influencers were quick to promote it, convincing students it was the opportunity of a lifetime.
However, reality was far different. Investigations revealed that many of the young women who signed up for the scholarship ended up working in factories, assembling drones and weapons for Russia’s war against Ukraine, not studying hospitality or tourism as advertised.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has since warned students to avoid the programme, with activists calling it a form of human trafficking disguised as opportunity. “I nearly applied,” admitted Lindiwe Dlamini, a postgraduate Law student. “Imagine thinking you are going abroad for education only to find yourself trapped in a war machine. It makes you second-guess every scholarship link you see online.”
Words, Influence, and Vulnerability
Although Kirk’s assassination in the US and the Russian scholarship scam in South Africa may seem unrelated, they share a chilling truth: words and influence can have life-altering consequences. In one case, speeches made a political figure a target of violence. In the other, persuasive social media posts lured students into danger. Both show how vulnerable young people can be, whether to the power of speech or the power of influence.
As students, we cannot afford to be passive. Question opportunities, think critically, and recognise that the choices we make, online or offline, can protect us from becoming the next headline.
From unsafe streets to global tragedies and online scams, student safety is fragile. The lesson is clear: stay alert, question influence, and make choices wisely. In a world that often feels like a thriller we did not audition for, awareness and responsibility are our strongest protections.
