A perceived abandonment of students by their student leaders was a significant topic of concern during a recent public accountability hearing held by Stellenbosch University’s (SU) student parliament.
This is according to Awande Shange, a bachelor of theology student who attended the hearing.
An accountability hearing was held by student parliament on 21 August in the Arts and Social Sciences building. The hearing consisted of a panel of student leaders. Left to right: Andri Malan, prim committee representative, Mzwakhe Bolotina, student representative council representative, Risuna Risimati, academic affairs council representative, and Sphephelo Mhlongo, accountability officer for student parliament. PHOTO: Shérie Vollenhoven
The hearing, which was held on 21 August, was intended for student leaders to address pressing issues affecting the SU community. This was communicated via an Instagram post from the official SU student parliament account inviting students to attend.
The panel consisted of various student leaders as representatives, including Andri Malan, prim committee (PK) representative, Mzwakhe Bolotina, student representative council (SRC) representative, Risuna Risimati, academic affairs council (AAC) representative, and Sphephelo Mhlongo, accountability officer for student parliament.
Lack of leadership support for off-campus students
Student leaders are experiencing increasing pressure from university management to take on more responsibilities than what they feel equipped to handle, claimed Malan.
This year, in particular, she claimed, management gave student leaders more responsibilities and used them as “scapegoats” for the student body to blame.
According to Malan, the SRC was, for example, expected to deal with the student body during the peak of the accommodation crisis earlier this year as instructed by university management.
Mhlongo asked the panel to respond to a question about the lack of support for students living off-campus. Malan said that, while she believes leaders could be more active in connecting with students who are not in residences, the student body should remember that they also have personal lives.
Awande Shange, a third-year bachelor of theology student, voiced her concerns about the student representative council’s lack of experience during a recent public accountability hearing hosted by student parliament. PHOTO: Shérie Vollenhoven
Concerns on leadership experience
Meanwhile, Shange claimed that the lack of experience in their specific roles could also result in students feeling abandoned by student leaders.
“Someone should have done groundwork before running for the SRC. It is not reliable for first-years to run the SRC because they do not know the responsibilities that come with being a leader,” said Shange, who claimed that first-years often run for SRC.
Awande Shange, a third-year bachelor of theology student, questioning the panel about experience that is needed when students run for the student representative council. The question was answered by panel member Risuna Risimati.
In response to Shange’s concerns, Risimati explained that the student constitution aims to deter first-year students from running for the SRC due to their limited experience.
Mhlongo stated that he hopes for more transparent conversations between leaders and the student body in the future.