By Mandla Simelane
More than 350 South African Students Congress (SASCO) members have jumped ship to join the United Democratic Student Movement (UDESMO) in a move that signals a new shift in the student activism and the South African political landscape. The exodus from an ANC-aligned student movement marks a growth of the UDM student body within the tertiary institutions as students seek new political homes.
United Democratic Movement (UDM) Eastern Cape provincial secretary, Bulelani Bobotyane, said the 350 SASCO students at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Mthatha Campus were motivated to join UDESMO because of the organisation’s proven track record of prioritising students’ interests. He said UDESMO has consistently demonstrated its commitment to fighting for students’ rights, including the successful campaign to pressure NSFAS (National Students Financial Aid Scheme) to assist deserving students.
“These students saw the value of joining an organisation that truly represents their interests. The shift will significantly impact the university’s political landscape as UDESMO will now have a stronger presence on campus,” said Bobotyane, adding that this is a huge growth for UDM. He added that they will continue to advocate for students’ rights, hold university management accountable and ensure that students’ voices are heard. “This will lead to a more representative and inclusive student leadership,” Bobotyane said.
UDESMO WSU chairperson, Manyano Njikela, stated that the move signals a new era in student leadership in South Africa. He said UDESMO’s growth and expansion demonstrate that students seek a more effective and representative organisation that truly fights for their interests.
“As UDESMO continues to grow, we will play a significant role in shaping the future of student leadership in the country. We will ensure that the new members are integrated and represented through various measures,” Njikela said. He said they will provide orientation and training programs to familiarise them with the organisation’s policies and procedures.
“We will continue ensuring that we are represented in our decision-making structures and their voices are heard. This move is a clear indication that students are losing faith in the ANC and SASCO’s ability to represent their interests,” emphasised Njikela.
He said UDESMO continues to grow and it will increasingly challenge the ANC and SASCO’s dominance in the student political landscape in South Africa. “UDESMO will address the concerns and needs of the new members through our established structures and processes. We will engage with them through regular meetings, surveys and other forms of feedback, that will enable us to understand their concerns and needs as well as to develop targeted solutions,” Njikela said..
The new members will play a significant role in shaping UDESMO’s policies and direction. “As part of our democratic and inclusive decision-making processes, they will have the opportunity to contribute to policy development, participate in decision-making structures, and help shape the direction of our organisation. This development will have significant implications for the broader political landscape in South Africa. As UDESMO continues to grow and expand, it will increasingly challenge the dominant parties and organisations,” Njikela said.
Bobotyane concluded that UDESMO’s growth and attraction of more young people at tertiary institutions will lead to a more diverse and representative political landscape, ultimately benefiting South African people. – NewsSAures and their voices are heard. This move is a clear indication that students are losing faith in the ANC and SASCO’s ability to represent their interests,” emphasised Njikela.
He said UDESMO continues to grow and it will increasingly challenge the ANC and SASCO’s dominance in the student political landscape in South Africa. “UDESMO will address the concerns and needs of the new members through our established structures and processes. We will engage with them through regular meetings, surveys and other forms of feedback, that will enable us to understand their concerns and needs as well as to develop targeted solutions,” Njikela said.
The new members will play a significant role in shaping UDESMO’s policies and direction. “As part of our democratic and inclusive decision-making processes, they will have the opportunity to contribute to policy development, participate in decision-making structures, and help shape the direction of our organisation. This development will have significant implications for the broader political landscape in South Africa. As UDESMO continues to grow and expand, it will increasingly challenge the dominant parties and organisations,” Njikela said.
Bobotyane concluded that UDESMO’s growth and attraction of more young people at tertiary institutions will lead to a more diverse and representative political landscape, ultimately benefiting South African people. – NewsSA