The management of the University of Pretoria has ordered the reconstitution of the recently elected student representative council (SRC) for not having enough black members.
”The representation does not comply with the requirements of the SRC constitution,” the university said on Monday.
It said the 17-member SRC comprises representatives of three student parliamentary structures.
Each of the three structures (the Hatfield student parliament, the Mamelodi student parliament and the faculty student parliament) nominated members to serve on the SRC executive committee.
According to the SRC constitution, at least one of the three faculty representatives on the SRC should be white and one black, and ”gender sensitivity” should be ensured.
But the faculty student parliament nominated only white members.
”This means that neither the SRC nor the decisions made or actions taken by the so-called SRC since October 27 can be recognised.”
The Freedom Front Plus Youth said the management decision has barred student representation on the university’s board, senate and other institutional forums meeting this week.
One such meeting would discuss the possible reappointment of the current rector.
”If the university succeeds in their tactics, students’ voices will not be heard in this crucial matter,” youth leader Jan-Hendrik Kay said in a statement.
The SRC will not allow management to infringe upon students’ right to representation, he added.
”We are not here to play the colour games of the university management but to manage student interests.”
He accused the management of double standards, saying the Mamelodi representatives on the executive committee are all black.
”The Tuks SRC represents all students, and these students do not see themselves as white or black,” Kay said. ”The SRC is representative of all student communities’ interests, and is determined to address the needs of Tukkies students. Needs do not know colour.”
He also accused management of having written an SRC constitution without the approval or participation of students.
The university said the identification of members of the Hatfield and Mamelodi student parliaments to serve on the SRC took place under the constitution, and was not contested.
Representatives of the Hatfield student parliament on the SRC included six FF+ members.
The instruction for the SRC to be reconstituted is in no way aimed against any individual, student political party or ideology, it said.
”Efforts to construe the matter as a plot against the FF+ are malicious and devoid of any truth.
”The university management remains confident that elected student leaders will act in the interest of the entire student community and ensure appropriate representation of the Tuks student body at all levels.” — Sapa