The North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Mahikeng inaugurated its newly elected Student Campus Council (SCC) on 28 August 2018 at the campus’ Great Hall.

The short inauguration ceremony was attended by campus management, led by Prof Marilyn Setlalentoa, the deputy vice-chancellor responsible for campus operations and assigned functions, Jim Molautsi, the director for student life, and Charmaine Mohopo, arts and culture coordinator. Various other university staff and students also attended the event.

Delivering his inaugural speech as SCC chairperson and president of the Student Representative Council (SRC), Leo Ndumiso Maphosa urged students to take up ownership and play a more involved role in campus activities, especially student governance.

“I stand before you not just as a leader of a particular group, but as your elected chairperson who will strive to serve all of the students of this campus and the NWU community at large,” said Leo. “Student issues must not only be addressed with urgency, but also with the utmost professionalism.”

Delivering her message of support, Prof Setlalentoa spoke about the need to develop a harmonious working relationship with the campus management to better support and represent the needs of students. In addition, Prof Setlalentoa called for putting an end to divisive language and rhetoric too often found in student politics, creating division in the general student governance cycle.

The 2018/19 SCC elections were the first elections in the history of the campus to be conducted electronically. By using the university’s eFundi platform, students were able to log in with their student credentials and vote for their preferred candidate. According to Jim this allowed for a more efficient and seamless voting procedure for students.  

Former SCC chairperson Bongani Mahlangu urged the newly elected SCC to present a united front and not to allow any attempts to create division among them.

“Student governance is a platform for students to be represented and for their grievances to be heard,” he said.

These are the newly elected Student Campus Council members for 2018/19 on the NWU’s campus in Mahikeng.

 Leo Maphosa is the chairperson of the Student Campus Council in Mahikeng and president of the NWU’s Student Representative Council.