During the second quarter of the year, universities across the country annually host SRC elections. Speaking on Tshwane FM 93.6 on the Capital Talk, Thabiso Mbewe, Institutional SRC Administrator in the office of the Director, explained the detailed preparations that have taken place for the upcoming elections. Thabiso said what many people are not aware of, is that the preparations for the next election start immediately after every election. Hence planning for the current elections already started last year.
According to Mbewe, part of the planning process included empowerment sessions for students who are likely to be elected to serve. He said being an SRC member comes with many responsibilities and, through their office and other relevant channels, it is the University’s task to prepare these young people to lead with honour and integrity. “The one fundamental question they should always ask themselves, is what kind of legacy do they want to leave behind,” Thabiso added.
Professor Elsabie Coetzee, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Extracurricular Development, urged all students to come out in numbers and exercise their right to vote. She said students should understand that voting is a fundamental right of any citizen, which enables them to choose the leaders of tomorrow. “Many people do not vote, thinking one vote will not make a difference, but as a matter of fact, it does,” Prof Coetzee added.
Voting will take place on 5 September 2019 from 09:00 to 21:00. Students are requested to arrive early at the voting stations and not wait until the last minute to cast their vote. Students should also remember to bring their 2019 student cards or proof of registration with an ID or driver’s license along to be eligible to vote.
Fourteen voting stations have been prepared across all campuses. The preliminary results will be published on 6 September and the final results on 10 September.