The elected SRC members joined by four of the ex officio members on the Rooiplein. Front from left to right: Fadeelah Williams, Chloë Krieger, Lwazi Phakade. Middle: Jeff Ngobeni, Brandon Murray, Wama Ngoma, Yanga Keva (Chairperson of the Societies Council), Ingrid Heÿdenrÿch (Chairperson of the Prim Committee) Back: Michael Burke (Vice-Chairperson of the Prim Committee), Sifiso Zungu, Jonathan Stokes, Lewis Mboko, Xola Njengele (Chairperson of the Academic Affairs Council). Photo: JC Landman.
On Wednesday, 28 August, the new Student’s Representative Council (SRC) for the 2019/2020 term was announced and welcomed by a cheering crowd of students.
The announcement took place in Stellenbosch University Library’s auditorium following seven caucuses across the three campuses where a variety of issues were discussed and debated by the candidates, including topics like mental health and drinking culture on campus.
The nine elected SRC members for 2019/2020 are, in order of votes:
- Lewis Mboko (1659 votes)
- Wama Ngoma (1515 votes)
- Sifiso Zungu (1365 votes)
- Chloë Krieger (1295 votes)
- Lwazi Phakade (1266 votes)
- Jeff Ngobeni (1244 votes)
- Fadeelah Williams (1233 votes)
- Brandon Murray (1139 votes)
- Jonathan Stokes (986 votes)
The total number of votes for this year across Stellenbosch, Tygerberg and Saldanha campuses was 3189, a decrease from last year where 3366 votes were cast.
The nine elected members together with six ex officio members make up the SRC. The ex officio members are:
- Xola Njengele (Chairperson of the Academic Affairs Council),
- Yanga Keva (Chairperson of the Societies Council),
- Ingrid Heÿdenrÿch (Chairperson of the Prim Committee),
- Michael Burke (Vice-Chairperson of the Prim Committee)
- Ntsako Mtileni (Chairperson of the Tygerberg Student Council)
- The Captain of the Military Academy, who has not been elected yet.
Of the nine elected members, a chairperson and vice-chairperson will be elected next week. A date is yet to be announced.
Lewis Mboko, who received the most votes, said he is planning on standing for the chairperson position.
“The support is overwhelming, but I am ready to tackle the issues that students are facing on campus,” the student leader said.
“I am considering standing for chair[person], but not because I received the most votes. It is something that I have always wanted to do. It’s been a goal of mine to unify the campus. I want to represent each and every student on campus.”
Wama Ngoma, who received the second most votes, reiterated Bboko’s sentiments and is also planning on availing herself for the SRC Chairperson position.
“Standing for chairperson is something I have been considering for a while now, so it’s not because I have received a lot of support and votes,” Ngoma explained.
“I’m excited for our term. It’s going to take patience, a lot of support and endurance, but I’m keen to lead and serve,” she said about the 2019/20 term that is ahead.
Carli Van Wyk, chairperson of the SRC of 2018/19, said that she is excited to see what these student leaders will achieve during their term.
“I am very content about the newly elected SRC. We [the 2018/19 SRC] are hoping to provide as much support as they would allow us, and that they would continue building on the path that we have set out during our term,” she said.
The SU Library auditorium was almost filled to capacity for the announcement of the new SRC. Photo: JC Landman.
Newly elected chairperson of the Prim Committee and ex officio member of the new SRC, Ingrid Heÿdenrÿch, said that she is feeling very positive about the term ahead.
“I am very optimistic about this SRC and that each individual on the team will contribute greatly,” Heÿdenrÿch said. “I am excited to get to know everyone better and see what we all bring to the table.”
Dr Choice Makhetha, Senior Director of Student Affairs, said that she is delighted that the election process has been concluded successfully and peacefully, and thanked all the involved parties who played a role in this process.
“We at Student Affairs look forward to working with you and support you in making Stellenbosch University a transformative experience for all our students. I want to assure you that your voice is important to us. There is no way to come up with solutions without our students present.”