SO THE CAMPAIGNING BEGINS.

SRC ELECTIONS COMING SOON...



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It’s that time of the year again, where the University of Johannesburg’s political organizations and individual candidates will begin to nominate candidates for the upcoming Student Representative Council, SRC elections. Every year the different structures meet to discuss strategies on how they will campaign for the elections.

However during this time of the year becomes fun as students get to experience ‘true student life’ emotions run high as none of the organizations want to be overpowered by the other. The year 2011’s elections were contested by two political organizations and a series of individual candidates, however it gets quite challenging for them as they have their own line of friends that do vote for them, and as a political organization, the numbers multiply on a large scale as it is more recognized by more students.

The Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA):

·         The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL),

·         South African Student Congress (SASCO), and

·         The Young Communist League (YCL)

Are the main bodies of student life and governance in the University of Johannesburg, they have the same objectives and mandate and exist under one umbrella which is the African National Congress (ANC). The progress of these PYA structures was rather outstanding this year as they managed to help students with issues that were affecting them e.g.

      Intercampus busses which were supposed to be paid for were made free.

      Students who were financially constrained were provided food through a meal bursary on all campuses.

      Wifi installation at student centers.

      Assisting students who were academically and/or financially excluded to be reinstated

      Providing adequate student life on campuses

      Health provisions e.g. condoms in bathrooms etc.

Outgoing SRC of 2012 were effective from the beginning of their term thus far, as we hope that the incoming SRC members will be as effective and more…

 Get involved, have a say and vote for the best SRC candidates

COULD THE MARIKANA MASSACRE BE PREMEDITATED?

As members of the Marikana community and Lonmin mine workers gathered at the School of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of Johannesburg, Bunting Road Campus. Videos of the “behind the scene” footage was being played as the ‘comrades’ of the mine entered, and as soon as Paul Verron from the Methodist Church began to speak, they sang in victor of their survival but then emotions began to rise as they settled down and allowed the discussion to commence as planned. He mentioned how important it is for the citizens of South Africa to understand that there is a struggle for justice, human dignity and getting the TRUTH.

The Map of The Area

The mine workers are in total opposition with what the media is publishing about the massacre as they tell their side of the story, which makes absolute sense. A map of the area was presented to give a clear description of what and how all of these things happened. “The police were sent to kill us, they came from the back where the TV cameras could not see - and they began to shoot”, said Comrade Chris, one of the mine workers. The razor fence that was strategically placed to “protect” the police and the news crew had a gap that was some sort of escape gateway for the mine workers not knowing that the news crews were there and made it look like the mine workers were attacking them as they (the police) opened fire at workers which seemed as a mechanism of defence.

One of the community members, Prim Rose Sonti shed tears as she said to the audience that she had seen her friend leave the house in the morning to go to work but he never came back, she said in agony that she went to all the mortuaries, prisons and hospitals and she could not find him. “Where are the other bodies, if management didn’t want them, why didn’t they fire them, they didn’t have to kill them”, she said. As the NUM’s head of production pillar, Eddie began to want to justify the act of the police and the killing of innocent lives, the workers of Lonmin left the auditorium angry and the audience began to sing and dance as some members threw empty water bottles at him as he left.

Some workers like Manelo who has worked there for over 10 years are still getting a salary of R4000 a month. Human greed drove the mine workers to march!

Could their side of the story be true?

Could this have been an ambush from the police and Lonmin’s management?

To see live videos of this seminar, visit http://ustre.am/NJbI

MAJUBA HOUSE COMMITTEE ELECTIONS PUTS RESIDENTS ON THEIR TOES



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Monday the 13^th of August marked the first step to elections. The University of Johannesburg’s Aucklandpark Bunting Road Campus had the different candidates running for different positions manifest in persuasion to lobby votes to acquire the positions that they were running for.  Majuba male residence had the most competitive manifestos as the Chairpersons position was contested by three members of the residence; two being previous house committee members and one being a senior student. Sicelo Vilakazi being the outgoing Treasurer, contesting Chairpersonship and Lethabo Pheeha, outgoing Academic Officer, also contesting Chairpersonship.

http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/STUDYATUJ/RESIDENCES/BUNTINGROADCAMPUS/MAJUBARESIDENCE/Pages/home.aspx

The rivalry between the two continued in the manifesto as the supporters of both the contestants’ emotions raised as they questioned their performance. However the questions were mainly raised towards the former treasurer, asking about financial statements and where Majuba’s budget has disappeared to.  These questions led to physical handling between the two supporters, surprisingly, and not the contestants - which was then stopped by residence members before it could lead to something worse.

The campaigning began, as open letters were sent through the whole residence, exposing hidden information that is incriminating and could lead to loss of votes for the two. However the Student Representative Counsel (SRC) addressed the first years on Tuesday the 14^th, congratulating the outgoing Academic Officer on the “remarkable” work that he has done. This also helped boost the confidence of the house and of Lethabo Pheeha in taking Chairpersonship.

Wednesday the 15^th of August the house was given an opportunity to vote for the incoming house committee for the year 2012/13. The Progressive Youth Alliance’s (PYA) members gathered at the residence’ foyer and sang the name of Lethabo in the final campaigning seconds to win votes. Sicelo Vilakazi also had his own strategies of getting the students on the way to vote for him. The competition was tough and at the end of the voting, the two, together with their supporters waited in anticipation for the results as nothing came forth, and were told that results would be released on Thursday the 16^th of August at 13:00.

Who do you think is fit to run the residence under the Chairperson’s portfolio?

WILL THE FIGHT AGAINST THE ANCYL AND THE DA EVER END?

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has been laid charges against, again by the Democratic Alliance (DA) of intimidation on Wednesday. These alleged intimidation charges were prompted by a threat to make Cape Town and the province ungovernable.

The Intimidation Act, 1982 prohibits forms of intimidation where the ANCYL and the four other organisations have violated the rights of the DA as "This threat comes against the backdrop of a number violent service delivery protests that have taken place in the city in recent days." http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/Zille-lays-charges-against-ANCYL-20120801

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica 

Be that as it may, the ANCYL is unapologetic towards their action as the DA lay charges. According to the ANCYL, the DA lacks historical understanding http://www.iol.co.za

BUT

Both the ANCYL and the DA could do so much more within their organisations if they’d focus less ‘gunning’ for each other. Issues such as poverty, lack of service delivery, crime etc. are the most important issues that any political organisation faces which are not fully being fulfilled.

It is the responsibility of any political organisation to adhere the constitution of South Africa, however their focus is on making sure that the opposition is under siege and is brought down. The ANC slogan’s the following words;

“Working Together We Can Do More.”

These are wise words that has been emphasised by our local government but are not exercised to its fullest potential.

The community asks will this battle between the leading party and the DA ever end? 

Are we fighting a new battle within the government now?