South African President Zuma To Meet Students

(CNN); Busloads of South African students gathered in Pretoria on Friday, where their leaders will demand lower tuition during talks with President Jacob Zuma.

Throngs of university students nationwide protested all week to call for cancellation of a tuition increase set to go into effect next year.

Zuma is meeting student leaders and professors Friday in an effort to quell the growing protests.

"It is important that we work together to find solutions," he said in a statement. "Nobody disagrees with the message that students from poor households are facing financial difficulties and possible exclusion."

Nervous students awaited the talks at Union Buildings, the official seat of the government, where police and multiple armored personnel carriers stood.

Students are excited and nervous, said Pontsho Pilane, a leader at University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. She said buses packed with students traveled to Pretoria for the talks.

"We are worried about the police response," she said.

Zuma said fees are determined by universities independently, but he's looking forward to hearing the students' concerns. ‎