Byline: Andani Matumba
03 May 2022
SASCO at Gert Sibande TVET College, Evander Campus reclaimed itself to glory after 4 years of the EFF being elected into the SRC.
This occurred after the SRC campus elections which took place Thursday, 28 April 2022.
The SASCO students filled Rotterdam Street in jubilation of their victory on Thursday evening after the announcement of the election results.
The newly appointed SRC members from SASCO are:
Sibonginkosi Ntshangase – Chairperson;
Tando Skwambane – Secretary of the SRC;
Phumzile Mamba – Director of Health, Residence, Gender and Disability in the SRC office;
Nkululeko Mpele – Director of Sports, Arts and Culture in the SRC office; and
Xolani Ngcobo – Director of Academics and Transformation in the SRC office.
“For the past four years of not wining the campus elections, we realised that our strategy was not working, so we had to sit down as the BEC of Evander Campus and strategise on how we are going to change the way we had been doing things before. We had to put in more efforts and more time in putting the needs of the students first, even though we limited with some of needs we were able to push until change happens or the students gets assisted in a manner which addresses their needs.
We had to come up with a mandate which puts the students first, by placing ourselves in their shoes and having interpersonal relations with them so that it would be easier for us to address the challenges they are faced with,” said Sibonginkosi Ntshangase, Chairperson of the SRC at GS college in Evander.
Ntshangase explained further, “Some students sleep by the gate during registration, therefore we made sure that we also join them in their struggle and camp with them outside the school gate while awaiting for registration the following day.
We had to actually listen to the needs of the students so that we know exactly what it is that the students need.
The newly elected SRC does not only serve the interest of the students within their organization but of all the students despite what they voted for or what student organization they are affiliated with.
We want to ensure that academic programmes and programmes aimed alleviating poverty take priority in our campus”.
With unity, a clear vision and communication, SASCO is back to where it should be, said Mr Njabulo Mngoma, Regional Chairperson of SASCO.
“We are going to ensure that regular consultation meetings are called with the students and we have taken into cognisance that this environment is an environment that is politically inclined and politically influenced, so when we address issues of the students we are not going to assist students based on their political affiliations,” explained the Regional Chairperson on plans for the SRC to have a functional college.
“We are going to have a student council which is absolutely honest, with unquestionable values, integrity and morals and we shall ensure that we are in constant contact with the students as we were before the elections.
Moving forward our programmes will be influenced by poverty, that will seek to assist disadvantaged students and ensure that we create an environment which accommodates all students both privileged and underprivileged students.
We will also prioritise academic programmes because we understand very well that students are here to learn develop themselves and to equip themselves with skills they need for a brighter future,” added Mngoma on the ethical values and vision of the SASCO SRC .
The SRC Chairperson also stated, “We know that the students are happy to have us in office and we are also honored to have the opportunity to serve them because they are the ones who voted for us”.
In conclusion, Ntshangase thanked the Regional Chairperson for his support, the REC of the Mpumalanga ANC Youth League and the ANC branch and other structures within the political party for their motivation, guidance and support
