Nzimande hoping for a 'peaceful' academic year as students step up their protest action Updated Christelle du Toit Share this: Supplied The Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimade says he is still hopeful for a peaceful academic year, despite students stepping up their protest action in the streets out side the country's universities. Following the death of Mthokozisi Ntumba on Wednesday outside Wits University, students were again our in numbers on Thursday to protect financial exclusions at institutions of higher learning. The University of Pretoria (UP) also saw students taking to the streets, yet Nzimande told a press briefing following the recent Cabinet meeting he was still optimistic about the 2021 academic year.