WITS SRC ELECTIONS: IT’S ALL SYSTEMS GO

Written By: Lebohang Ndashe

On 17 and 18 September, the University of Witwatersrand’s Student Representative Council (SRC) will take to the polls as it seeks to garner students’ votes in the much anticipated general elections.

The Wits SRC comprised of 22 members – each assigned to specific portfolios as outlined in the SRC Constitution, 13 General Representatives will by elected by the students through a secret ballot adhering to the electoral rules while the remaining 9 members will represent various constituencies such All Resident Sub-council and the Post-graduate Association (PGA) Right.

VOW 88.1 caught up with some SRC presidential candidates as they outlined their policies aimed to improve students’ academic experience.

Independent candidate, Albert Zitha said candidates backed by political parties use SRC elections as a stepping stone to pursue and further their political endeavors.

“People are tired of politics and political parties. We need proper leaders and not individuals who hide in the shadow of their political parties,” Zitha told VOW 88.1.

Zitha further stated that Wits has R22 million from application fees of unsuccessful students which he suggests should be reinvested to enrolled students.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Student Command, Dieketseng Mokoena told VOW 88.1 that people are not tired of politics but tired of the African National Congress (ANC) and its incompetence.

“As the EFF we have a student-driven constitution that focuses on student matters only,  we are mandated by students and not by the EFF national party,” added Mokoena.

Mokoena said the City of Johannesburg should also lower its electricity and water rates and not their standard so that student accommodation can be affordable.

Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) – ANC’s SASCO  Candidate, Philangezwi Mbatha criticised EFF Student Command for mirroring its national party campaign message, suggesting that they prioritize promoting party leader Julius Malema over advocating for students’ interests.

“The EFF Student Command were active participants at this years general elections and did not attend to students’ issues such as accommodation, registration and financial exclusion, but when you mention Julius Malema they are the first ones to act,” Mbatha told VOW 88.1 .

Mbatha aims to cooperate with Wits’ management to tackle the issue of internal student accommodation following an influx of students who vacate to external accommodations.

With amounting woes endured by students, the presidential trio candidates vows to enhance the overall learning environment of students and tackle any challenges head on.

Photo credit: Likho Mbuka