By Nicola Reyneke
SALDANHA – Calls for stronger representation, greater accountability and closer ties between Stellenbosch University’s (SU) campuses dominated the fourth Students’ representative Council (SRC) election caucus held on Thursday 23 July. Students at SU’s Faculty of Military Science in Saldanha challenged candidates on how they intend to serve the university’s Saldanha campus.
The caucus was themed “Building connection across all campuses”. Eight of the 22 SRC candidates attended the event, where students questioned how the next SRC would address the longstanding disconnect between the South African Military Academy and SU’s main campus.
The evening opened with candidates outlining their vision for the university. SRC presidential candidate Brady Deveroux highlighted concerns unique to the Military Academy, including the reduction of the examination period from three weeks to two and students having to complete rifle training during examinations. Deveroux said, “I hope to use my final year at the university to help address these issues.”
Another SRC presidential candidate, Ethan Alan Epstein-Kay acknowledged that Saldanha students often only see the SRC during election season.
Nor Arbasi, SRC candidate, said, “At the Military Faculty you are training to honour and serve your country, but it’s time someone from your university honours and serves you too.” He also said he was running to represent every SU student, regardless of campus.
SRC presidential candidate Nete Mathaha focused on fostering a sense of belonging between campuses, saying, “One name, separate campuses, but one family,” while encouraging greater interaction between students across Stellenbosch, Tygerberg and Saldanha campuses.
SRC presidential candidate Senate Tladi said representation “cannot only happen on Stellenbosch’s main campus”, saying that students at the Military Academy deserve an SRC that actively listens to and addresses their concerns. Presidential candidate Senkosi Nuku similarly acknowledged that it was her first visit to Saldanha despite three years in student leadership, adding that distance “makes you no less a Matie than me”.
Candidates for other portfolios echoed similar themes. Treasurer candidate Sybrand de Waal argued that student funding should strengthen communities across all campuses, while Xola Meyisi said the SRC’s role was to formulate policies that protect students’ interests across all SU campuses.
The discussion shifted during the Q&A session, where students repeatedly challenged candidates on accountability.
Candidates proposed a range of solutions. Deveroux suggested budgeting for future cross-campus initiatives well in advance. Epstein-Kay committed to returning to Saldanha and engaging directly with students. Tladi proposed strengthening communication and representation, while Nuku called for more structured engagement between campuses.
Questions surrounding accountability resurfaced when Yannga Mlamleli, a third-year BMil (Organisational Resource Management) student, criticised election promises that are never revisited.
“After your reign, you need to come back and say, ‘I wanted to do this, I did this.’ Or, ‘I tried to do this’,” Mlamleli said.
Responding to the criticism, De Waal proposed quarterly town hall meetings between the SRC and all three campuses. Arbasi encouraged students to continue contacting elected representatives, saying, “I am public property now.”
Further questions focused on practical implementation, constitutional reform and the role of Student Parliament in holding the SRC accountable. An audience member, Abongile Mncadi, a second-year BA (Humanities) student, challenged candidates on whether some of their proposals were feasible under the current Student Constitution. Tiffany van Wyk, a third-year BA (International Studies) student and member of the Maties Sport Student Executive Forum, who also attended the caucus, questioned how candidates would practically bridge the divide between campuses.
One of the evening’s strongest commitments came from Mathaha, who pledged to publicly resign should he fail to fulfil the promises he made during the campaign.
Speaking to Die Matie after the caucus, Van Wyk described the attendance of only eight candidates as “a lost opportunity”.
“You can say in your manifesto you are here for all students and that you want to bridge the gap between campuses and want to represent everyone. But making this two-hour bus ride is a small sacrifice that, in my opinion, you should have made,” Van Wyk said. She added that the Military Academy “deserves to receive some attention and care as well,” arguing that both the SRC and university leadership should engage more regularly with the campus.
Jalaser Bosman – audience member, third-year BA (Humanities) student and Prim of Olympus Commuter Student Community (CSC) – told Die Matie that collaboration between the current SRC and residence leadership had improved through task teams. However, Bosman argued that Prim Committee leaders should receive voting rights within SRC structures because they are closest to students and hear their concerns first-hand.
The caucus concluded with candidates reiterating their commitment to serving Saldanha. In his closing remarks, Meyisi said, “Trust is not built on commitment; it is built on delivery,” adding that students protest not simply because they cannot belong, but because they feel unheard.
