Ané van Zyl
In an attempt to increase membership, Amnesty International South-Africa (AISA) has requested to become a recognised society of Stellenbosch University (SU). AISA SU has submitted its constitution to student parliament for review and is awaiting its approval.
Chairperson Vuyokazi Hlwatika stated in an annual newsletter that the Non-Profit Organization (NGO) will aim to address issues such as Fees Must Fall and other “various human rights violations that take place on our campuses”.
“We have also met with MGD (Maties Gemeenskapsdiens) to be partnered up with a cluster for the 2017/2018 period to extend the reach of our social impact” Hlwatika wrote.
AISA SU has already elected an Executive Committee to co-ordinate the activities of the society for 2017/2018. Elections took place in the library auditorium last Wednesday.
The vice-chairperson is Timothy Arendse, Noreen van der Merwe is treasurer, Andrew van Lingen is secretary, Lisa Badenhorst handles public relations, Xola Njengele is events coordinator and Edward Keenan Jacobs is human rights educator.
The NGO defines itself as committed to the advancement and protection of human rights, and if they are permitted AISA SU will be a student-run branch of the international organisation, with roots in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and the Philippines.
According to Badenhorst, AISA SU will host a conference in September which will serve as platform where goals and visions for 2020 will be developed. No date has been set for the conference yet.
Photo: Jessica-Ann Scot
