DUT GEARS UP FOR 2017 SRC ELECTIONS
Written by: Sinoxolo Mahlatshana
The season for Student Representative Council (SRC) elections is upon the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
With only a few hours left until the DUT 2017 SRC elections commence, student political organizations are working tirelessly to ensure that they come out victorious on Friday, the 1st September 2017.
The three most dominant organisations in the university so far are the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC), South African Student Congress (SASCO) and the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). Students are expected to give the much needed vote to their organisation of choice on the 29th, 30th and 31st of this month.
For the past six weeks, organisations have been visible around various campuses as they started off with the ‘Right to Learn’ campaign, which is a campaign that assists students who have been financially and academically excluded.
Former Secretary-General of SASCO, Siboniso Khomo was also among students that were campaigning. He said that he wants these elections to be a testament that student organisations cannot solve issues alone.
“I just want DUT students to understand the importance of working together to confront the challenges they are faced with,” said Khomo.
ANCYL Activist, Viwe Mshede, said that if there is one thing elections brings, it is the affirmation on the relevance of political formations. Mshede added that it helps in verifying the level of interest by the general student populace, by looking at the percentage of students who voted against all the enrolled students.
He said these things will help in understanding the level of progress at the university, as a fewer voter turnout would mean many students are satisfied with the university management.
EFFSC activists refused to make any comments because of the removal of their Chairperson Philani ‘Gazuzu’ Nduli from the SRC candidacy. Nduli was found guilty under Section 9.6.1 of the SRC Constitution, which states that ‘A student who has been found guilty of serious misconduct by any other university cannot contest’.
First year Journalism student, Nontobeko Mkhwanazi said, “Whichever organisation that will win these elections should live up to their manifesto.”
She also added that she would be voting because she wants to have the power to compliment and criticize where necessary.
*Caption: DUT SASCO celebrating all the qualified SRC candidates at Steve Biko Campus.
