Durban University of Technology (DUT) Communications team member, Sibahle Ngcobo, asked the newly elected 2023/25 Student Representative Council (SRC) President, Solomzi Zoleka, to formally introduce himself to the DUT community.
Zoleka was born in Kokstad but grew up at uMzimkhulu. He is currently enrolled for his Advanced Diploma in Business Law.
The 21-year-old explained that his journey at DUT has been an experiential one, and he can confidently say that he had learned a lot both in academics and activism.
Zoleka was motivated to join politics by the frustrations he had during his first year when he was residing in Sterling House Residence in 2019. They were facing service delivery debacles from the residence management, which included network issues and bed shortages. It is then that they decided to engage in peaceful protests with other students and the leadership of that time joined the struggle and that is when he started realising the importance of the struggle and unity.
“I am the SRC President, I represent the SRC and the entire students populace in strategic meetings including Council, Institutional Forum, EMC, etc. I am responsible for collecting their submissions and presenting them to the management after consultations with students with regards to issues and interests of students. I am responsible for providing leadership and direction to the SRC and students populace at large,” said Zoleka.
The SRC President indicated that his ambitions for the SRC is to serve students with dignity, listen to their submissions and provide solutions. He wants to ensure that there is always a connection between the SRC and students, and not forgetting the management of the institution because the aim is not to antagonise certain stakeholders but to do what is best for everyone.
Zoleka further said that it is hard to balance academics and leadership responsibility as it requires time management and focus. There were instances during inception of his term of office when he had difficulty finding a balance and his academics were at risk but fortunately he managed to pass his modules exceptionally well.
As the SRC president, Zoleka plans to bring unity and political tolerance. “It is my responsibility as the head of the SRC to behave in a manner that seeks to promote unity without being biased or factional,” he explained.
Zoleka’s academic aspirations is to continue to excel until he attains his Doctoral degree.
He indicated that this SRC is the first SRC to lead a two year term in office. Zoleka believes they are going to have enough time to attend to issues and look at amending some policies.
In closing, Zoleka encouraged the DUT community to register to vote in the upcoming general elections as he feels their participation in the government elections remains essential.
Pictured: 2023/25 SRC President, Solomzi Zoleka.
Sibahle Ngcobo
