Elections for the new Student Representative Council (SRC) went underway yesterday (Thursday, 14 September 2017) with students from the University coming out in numbers to cast their votes for their preferred candidates. Elections for the new Student Representative Council (SRC) went underway yesterday (Thursday, 14 September 2017) with students from the University coming out in numbers to cast their votes for their preferred candidates.

The elections, which were held at the University’s iconic King Bhekuzulu Hall, KwaDlangezwa Campus, saw students braving the cold weather and much later on, rain in the hopes of casting their votes and having their voice heard where the soon-to-be elected student leadership is concerned.

In November 2016, the University of Zululand was interdicted against the inauguration of the then newly elected SRC. The University Council subsequently resolved to appoint an Administrator as permitted in terms of Section 34 of the SRC Constitution (Policy SSD P1). The Administrator would serve in his position with full powers, duties and functions as stipulated in the Constitution.
Speaking about the latest SRC elections, Babalwa Mntonga, level two Industrial Sociology student, said she was voting because she had high hopes that the party she would be voting for would play a pivotal role in helping the University prosper.

Msizi Mhlongo, who is currently doing his dual major in History and isiZulu in the Bachelor of Arts in Correctional Studies, said he was trusting his preferred presidential candidate to address the prerequisite rule which is currently enforced at the institution. “I believe prerequisite should only apply when students have more than one module outstanding in order to complete their courses. I also hope that the new SRC will tackle the issue of academic records. I don’t see why students have to pay to get their academic records,” said Mhlongo.

For Lindeni Mthethwa, a level three Bachelor of Education student; the main reason she was voting was to see the new SRC “sort out NSFAS related challenges faced by students each year”.
Though varied in terms of their political affiliations, the five presidential candidates all echoed similar sentiments which reflected their best interest for student matters. Amongst prioritised matters include student housing as well as administrative issues such as online registration processes.

– Naledi Hlefane

Pictured: UNIZULU Students yesterday (Thursday, 14 September 2017) seemed unaffected by unfriendly weather conditions as they queued outside the University’s King Bhekuzulu Hall where they would cast their votes for their new SRC.