UFH student leaders in battle to head SRC

South African Student Congress candidate Somila Spondo says residence allocation is at the top of his agenda.

“Sasco has taken a proposal that allocation must be done prior to the closure of the year so that we are able to get numbers of students who are not accommodated,” he said.

Sasco was also committed to fighting for the hiring of more residence staff, particularly around the registration period.

“Sasco will advocate for residences to be renovated in order for them to meet all the appropriate living standards, and be accessible to students with disabilities,” he said.

Spondo said Sasco called for the early publication of all funding lists to ensure all students received their allowances on time.

“We further propose that there must be a pre-approved list of students funded by Fundza Lushaka and Matthew Goniwe [bursaries] to ensure that those who meet the requirements get their allowances on time.”

He said Sasco would also advocate for academic support, gender equality and sport activities.

The DA Student Organisation (Daso) has promised to deal with the issue of shortages of furniture in lecture halls and delays in allowance payments.

Presenting Daso’s manifesto at the East London campus on Monday, presidential candidate Masixole Ndlela said: “In some lectures students have to stand throughout the lecture, while others sit on the floor. That cannot be allowed.”

Ndlela said under Daso’s leadership, they would make sure students received their allowances on time.

“Ever since I arrived at Fort Hare, we have a problem of discussing meals and non-residence issues. The NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) rule is clear – it says if you were funded the previous year, provided you pass with 50% of the major modules automatically, the following year you are funded, but people wait for us to come back and start discussing the issue of meals.

“As Daso, we are saying that thing ends now,” he said, adding that fighting for more residences, shuttle services and a review of the curriculum would also be a priority.

Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa Student Movement candidate Yamkela Buyeye presented his organisation as the answer, even quoting slain anti-apartheid activist Solomon Mahlangu’s speech as he was about to be hanged in 1979.

“We have come to liberate you, liberate your minds, liberate your needs,” he said.

“We are prepared to ... deliver our vision and goals which include the issue of residences, infrastructure, academic support, allowances, shuttle survives and sport,” he added.

“We want security systems, and cameras must be put in place at all university residences, and there must be computer laboratories available in all residences.

“There must be disability-friendly lecture halls and the computer laboratory must be expanded.”

Mihla Hanise, of the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC), said they would ensure the university established an open system that would allow private accommodation owners to register their accommodation facilities and have accreditation. “This will abolish the lease agreement system and will bring remedial solutions to the dilemma that we have pertaining accommodation,” he said.

On the issue of inflated prices, Hanise said the EFFSC would ensure there were tariffs charged to landlords if buildings did not meet the Department of Higher Education and Training norms and standards.

“We will ensure the university evaluates the residences at the end of each academic year, as this will ensure quality living conditions,” he said.

Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania’s (Pasma) Lufefe Sopazi demanded that a residence be procured before the next academic year.

“That will help minimise the unnecessary pressure the students find themselves in at the beginning of the year,” he said.

A Pasma-led SRC would demand, as part of the #FeesMustFall movement, that application and registration fees be scrapped.

Sopazi said they would demand that residences were renovated during the university holidays.

ANCYL chairman Sonwabiso Mamkeli, a former East London campus premier, has decided to contest the elections as an independent candidate.

He stressed that students needed to spend more time in class.

“The time of taking students into endless protests with no clear direction must stop. The time of taking students to strike and failing to deliver on their demands must stop.

“The time of student division, of having others attending classes while a decision has been taken by the masses, must stop.

“The return of capable, dedicated and committed leaders must start,” he said.