Members of Stellenbosch University's (SU's) newly-elected Student Representative Council (SRC) for the 2019–2020 academic year have pledged to serve students without fear or favour at their inauguration and oath-taking ceremony.
The inauguration and oath-taking ceremony was held at the Attie van Wijk auditorium at the Faculty of Theology on Tuesday (26 February 2020). The ceremony, which also served as a formal introduction of the new SRC members to the campus community, was officiated by Mr Nicholas Carroll, Chief Justice and Chairperson of the Student Court, with members of the SRC taking an oath and signing a pledge to serve and represent students without fear or favour – with the values of excellence, empathy and accountability.
Newly elected Chairperson of the SRC, Lewis Mboko, said he envisioned an inclusive Stellenbosch University by the end of the new SRC's term “where your race, religion, sexuality and country of birth are no barrier to you reaching your full potential." He said as the SRC, they were excited and keen to take a walk in new directions.
“We are engaging with our students and staff members in the process of learning their aspirations, their dreams, what they want Stellenbosch University to be, and what they are anxious about as we move forward together," he said.
“My offer to you, fellow Maties, is to work with my colleagues, learn from them, lead with them and support each and every individual on our team to reach their greatest potential. I will give my heart and full dedication, and no student will be left out. As the SRC, we are here to listen and assist," said Mboko.
He ended his address by saying they were willing to work hand-in-hand with management and all stakeholders of the University to make Stellenbosch a great place for all students.
Anele Mdepa, Manager at the Office of Student Governance, said his office was looking forward to working with the new SRC.
“As people working with student leaders, we have a responsibility to teach them well, and we are lucky at SU because we have good values that helps us in guiding our students," he said.
“We teach our student leaders principles such as accountability, transparency and responsibility." Mdepa said these were fundamental principles when elected into a position of power.
“In teaching them these principles, we can get rid of the corruption that is currently destroying our country," added Mdepa.
In his opening address, Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Learning and Teaching at SU, started by acknowledging the work done by the outgoing SRC of the 2018–2019 academic year, setting a foundation for the current SRC to build on. “I also wish to recognise and value the work of the Election Convenors for their hard work, commitment in deepening democracy at SU and for finalising the election process with the recent Chair/Vice elections," he said.
Schoonwinkel said that by taking and signing the pledge, the SRC was now committing themselves to upholding the values of SU, and that it was a commitment to work closely with Student Parliament to be accountable and to be transparent in executing their official duties.
Rector and Vice Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, said SU took student leadership seriously, and this is why they were offering their support, advice and guidance during the leadership journey of the SRC.
The SRC office bearers for 2019–2020 are as follow:
- Lewis Mboko: Chairperson
- Wamahlubi Ngoma: Vice-chairperson
- Brandon Murray: Treasurer
- Fadeelah Williams : Secretary
- Ntsako Mtileni: Tygerberg SRC Chairperson
- Lwazi Phakade: Communications
- Chloe Krieger: Student Wellness
- Jeff Ngubeni: Transformation
- Sifiso Zungu: Leadership and Development
- Jonathan Stokes: Policy Officer
- Tebogo Ndaba: Senior Prim Committee Chairperson
- Ingrid Heydenrych: Prim Committee Chairperson
- Michael Burke: Prim Committee Vice-chairperson
- Thembakazi Swartboot: Military Academy Student Captain
- Yanga Keva: Societies Council Chair
- Xoli Njengele: Academic Affairs Council
Photo by Anton Jordaan.
