The South African Students Congress (Sasco) has successfully reclaimed control of the Student Representative Councils (SRC) at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) during the recent elections.
This marks a shift, as the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EffSC) previously dominated both institutions.
At MUT, Sasco won five out of 11 seats, while the EFFSC secured four seats, with individual candidates claiming the remaining two. Wits saw an even more decisive victory for Sasco, which captured 12 out of 13 seats, leaving the EFFSC with just one seat.
Sasco President Vezinhlanhla Simelane stated, “Since Sasco is trying to rebuild its own strength, we must indicate that the campaign did not start when we were just campaigning for the SRC elections. We have a programme called the 'gradulent campaign,' where we assist fellow students from disadvantaged backgrounds with registrations and NSFAS applications.”
Simelane emphasised the importance of ongoing support for students, particularly during critical periods of registration.
“If you don’t have a strong organisation during that period, it will be difficult for you to come back. Many students face exclusions based on financial and academic challenges, and a visible organisation is crucial during these times.”
Reflecting on past challenges, Simelane remarked, “People assumed we were losing elections because the ANC was losing ground, but student politics operates differently. The ANC's poor performance doesn’t directly correlate to our presence on campus.”
He asserted that Sasco's resilience is rooted in the ongoing need for student representation and advocacy. “Our organisation is regaining strength because we address the immediate challenges that students face. If leadership fails to provide services, students will seek alternatives.”
Sasco's independence is a critical aspect of its identity. As Simelane noted, “Sasco is the only student formation that is independent in this country. What unites us to the ANC and the alliance is our belief in the National Democratic Revolution, which aims to ensure that our people have access to basic needs.”
IOL Politics