Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Student Representative Council (SRC) reintroduced its social impact portfolio after recognising the need for greater community engagement following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The portfolio was relaunched on 23 October and was last implemented during the 2016/2017 SRC term, according to Michelle Pietersen, senior programme manager at Maties Gemeenskapsdiens (MGD).
The SRC’s vision is to set an example to the student body through the social impact portfolio and assist in community engagement following the Covid-19 pandemic, said Xola Njengele, the current SRC chairperson.
“The SRC’s goal is to address the gaps we have seen on campus that have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and assist students and communities that have been negatively impacted,” said Njengele.
A collaborative approach
The portfolio’s vision will be implemented through a collaborative approach, said Unathi Ngumbela, the SRC social impact leader.
“The portfolio’s vision is to accelerate the pace of change in under-developed communities and this will be achieved through a collaboration with the SRC, residences, faculty members and the general public,” said Ngumbela.
He added that the SRC recognises their moral obligation to ensure student wellness and the need to contribute positively to the surrounding communities.
“We want to assist members of the community before ourselves and take a stance on the injustices within communities in need,” said Ngumbela.
Ngumbela said that as with any SRC portfolio, he will undertake personal projects in addition to the collaborative social impact activities he has planned.
“I’ve decided to work closely with a school in Kayamandi and work on addressing the needs of the school,” said Ngumbela.
“Far-reaching impact”
The SRC’s collaborative approach will allow the outreach projects to have a greater impact, said Marc Nathanson, the vice-primarius and social impact leader of Osler, a Private Student Organisation (PSO) at SU’s Tygerberg campus.
“Having structures like the SRC will help us to have a far-reaching impact and work with people from all works of life,” said Nathanson.
Social impact is one of the most important portfolios because it allows students to make a difference on a regional and national scale, according to Naa’ila Khan, the vice-primaria and social impact leader of Osler.
“It allows us to actually take action and do something that makes a difference not only in our residences but our communities, towns and countries,” said Khan.