‘Carry your passion beyond your term of office’

The curtain has come down on the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Students’ Representative Council (SRC) 2023/2024 term and their leadership and courage were lauded during their farewell, which was hosted on Friday, 18 October.

Much like SRCs before them, they were confronted with matters of registration pitfalls, fundraising for fees and general student wellness, which extends to academics, accommodation and well-being of students, both physically and psychologically.

UCT Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Mosa Moshabela said, “I had occasion where I engaged with some of you before my appointment, as well as after [my appointment], and I am amazed at the maturity you all have shown. It’s something rare and I don’t take it for granted because this is the kind of leadership we must support and encourage, especially as things are difficult at UCT on many fronts. And yet, we still have to make sure we deliver the best quality education we can so that the value of your qualification remains high.”

He continued: “To achieve that, we have to hold this institution together – and you are a statutory body in the leadership of the institution that represents the interests of the student body and you have done that by constantly engaging us on matters that concern students in order for us to take them on and champion them.”

Professor Moshabela encouraged the student leaders to not rest on their leadership laurels and to ensure that their voices, as UCT affiliates, continue to resonate not only in the present, but as they move further along in life.

Step into the future

“I want to thank you for making yourself available; for putting in the time and effort that you have. I want to thank you for your activism and cooperation. I am trusting that as you step into the future, you will all grow from strength to strength in your leadership. And that you will grow into leaders that we at UCT can be proud of.

“You should trust that your future is bright. You must not be afraid to venture into the world and take the leadership skills you have learned with you,” Moshabela said.

Pura Mgolombane, the executive director at the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), remarked, “As we mark the culmination of your journey at this stage of your leadership, I am inviting you to take this moment to reflect on your experiences, achievements and memories you have created and in relation to the discomfort you have had, because that is where growth takes place.

“Remember the passion that drove you to serve your fellow students and the commitment to make their voices heard. Carry that passion beyond your term of office. From DSA, we are proud to have worked with you – from organising student workshops to advocating for student issues and well-being because in so doing, you help us help the university achieve its vision.

“My heartfelt thanks go to every one of you for your enthusiasm, resilience and unwavering commitment. Together we faced challenges head on, celebrated victories and learned from our experiences and each other. I have no doubt the lessons learned will carry you. You have helped UCT to humanise the student experience – from registration to exams to graduation and for that you should be proud of yourselves. Carry forth the values of kindness, integrity, compassion and purpose.”

Outgoing president, Hlamulo Khorommbi, used the opportunity to thank individual members of his executive and how they drove the theme of teamwork with their constituents across the university.

“The effort of the collective team is the success of this term. This has been one of the best teams I have worked with in my journey of student leadership, and I appreciate them all. I’ve been in leadership structures since 2021, and I can say with pride that this was one of the best teams to have been part of. Student governance is being revived nowadays and a big thank you must go to our managers at Student Affairs for that.”

Voting for the 2024/2025 SRC closed on 20 September, and the DSA is in the process of finalising the date to constitute the incoming SRC, which must be done by 1 November.