The Student Representative Council (SRC) Grazzle was held on August 8 in Barrat lecture theatre at Rhodes University. The event had a shaky start as the audience, made up of Rhodes University students, were already agitated by some of the rules that were implemented at the beginning of the programme. Some of the rules that irritated students were not infringing on the dignity of a candidate, the fact that the presidential debate would only take place the following day and that students had to identify themselves before asking questions.
The first candidate Abongile James is contesting for Activism and Transformation, her candidacy was uncontested. In her speech, James said “I stand here as a leader with a great vision and mission for this institution, a vision to be part of a university that does not marginalise and ignore the poor.” She said that she intends to create spaces that promote discussions about gender awareness through various educational programmes and residence discussions. She wanted to use the transformation policies to end rape culture and promote safe spaces for minority groups such as members of the LGBTIA+ community, disabled and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. After her speech she was asked if she would step down if she did not deliver on the promises she has made. James assured the audience that she would.
Ashley Lungile Zikhali is running for Community Engagement. Zikhali spoke about the role of community engagement in Grahamstown which mutually benefits students and the community. She said “I intend to strengthen the core values of the university currently known as Rhodes by contributing to the vision and mission of this university through focus and collaborative community engagement activities, give strategic directions to academics, support staff and student where needed.” Zikhali said her aim was to strengthen the idea of working with the people and not for the people because that promoted dependency.
Graham Munyaradzi Maruta is running for International Affairs Councillor. He said “I run standing on three values, accountability, results and commitment.” Maruta said that there has strong need for transparency in the SRC. He went on to say that “we as the student body are tired of an SRC that deals with our problems behind closed doors.” Maruta stated that his office would go beyond discussing Visa’s by addressing the theme of internationalisation which not only focuses on overseas countries but would instead make that theme accessible to African nations.
Makomborere Blessing Majome was also contesting for International Affairs Councillor. He said that Rhodes University was possibly the most colonial institution and as a result the university needed to be decolonised. Majome explained that part of decolonizing Rhodes requires the integration of Pan African ideals on an international spectrum which entails integrating programmes that included more African nations. After his speech he was accused of letting the Zimbabwe Society down. Majome responded by stating that his accuser was the one responsible for the society’s failure as she was the President during the period of failure. Atfer his response, another audience member accused him of being a backstabber for throwing his accuser under the bus.
Lee Lelethu Majikija was running for the Media Councillor. She assured the audience that she was confident that she would be able to perform her duties. She said that she was on the side of the silenced, minority and the systematically oppressed. Majikija said that “we as the SRC of 2017 do not plan to be puppets.”
Bobotyana Venessa was running for the Oppidan Councillor and her position is uncontested. She said “I am a firm believer that everything can be achieved through working as a collective.” Venessa went on to say that she believes “that the university needs leaders that have principles and are strong-willed.” She spoke about the struggles faced by Oppidan students naming issues such as transportation, meals, and the culture of the poor having to perform their poverty.
Lesedi Thwala contested the position of projects manager. Thwala said she wanted to promote discussions that would create awareness about rape culture and to make the Great Field Party accessible to financially disadvantaged students. Thwala said that she wanted to provide a platform for local artists to be able to promote their material, to raise funds and to promote social cohesion. However, her priorities were questioned with regards to how she could propose to spend hundreds of thousands in entertainment when students are facing financial exclusion.
Yolanda Dyantyi was contesting the position for projects manager. She said “I am for transformation and I am for decolonising the space in this university.” An audience member accused her of not having a plan during the #RUReferenceList protest on April 18 when alleged rapists were rounded up from their residences. She responded by saying that it wasn’t the fact that she had a plan that was important but the fact that she was actually doing something.
Pamela Tabitha Mangcotywa contesting for Secretary General was held hostage by the audience that initially booed her. She was unable to make her speech because of the noise levels and in the end she left unable to make a speech.
Nongubo Onela was running for Secretary General. He said he wanted to create an SRC that recognised the student body. Onela said that he aimed to build student relationships that ensured mutual trust, respect and promoted a space for listening and understanding. “The FeesMustFall and the #RUReferenceList have an impact in our lives, we have been tested, moved and affected by these protests, and all of that has resulted in the physical division between us and the SRC that is supposed to represent us.” Onela went on to say that he would ensure that the SRC leads and represents. When asked if he would support a protest by the students, he responded by saying that “if the students see the need for protest, the SRC must therefore lead the protest.”
The last speaker of the evening was Thembani Onyeka who contested the position for Secretary General. He began his speech from a radical black feminist point of view by saying that he “condemn[s] the manner in which the black female’s bodies were removed from staging a silent anti-rape protest.” This became his undoing as Onyeka was accused of lying about supporting the feminist movement. Some called him patriarchal and said that Onyeka had proven in the past to be unavailable to protest for gender equality. He responded by stating that as an activist it is impossible for him to have been able to attend every protest.
The public scrutiny at the Grazzle this year shows that student politics is not for the faint hearted. No one can truly ever be prepared for the firepower of outspoken, judgemental and highly opinionated students. Ironically, past experiences have shown that the loudest voices in the audience usually die out when it comes to voting. An example of this would be the failure to vote off or dissolve the SRC in the Vote of no confidence which took place on May 20 this year. With this in mind it remains to be seen if the favourites in the Grazzle will remain favourites in the ballots.
Written by: Nokwanda Dlamini
