"Burn to be heard": The (In)dispensability of "Revolutionary" violence in student protests and responsible citizenship in African public universities

The notion of 'revolutionary' violence that characterize student protests in African universities appear to be indispensable. The 'Burn to be Heard' metaphor that was proclaimed in the violent student protests in South Africa aptly captures the violent practices that are idiosyncratic to the 'revolutionary violence' across universities in Africa. Revolutionary violence legitimises and coerces for collective violent practices within the purview of student protests. Violence as revolutionary mechanism is considered as probably the most effective device for the attainment of the set objectives. In counteracting the canonisation of violence which often result in property destruction, injuries and death during student protests, this chapter draws from the fundamental tenets of responsible citizenship. We argue that reinforcing the fundamentals of responsible citizenship has the potential of combating the tendencies of regarding violence as the most effective mechanism to solicit university students' favourable outcomes.