The Student Representative Council (SRC) hosted a mass meeting at the Indumiso Main Hall at Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg, providing an opportunity for SRC members to engage directly with students on matters affecting the student community.
All SRC members were present at the meeting, where they provided updates on their work since taking office and reported on key student related matters. The engagement also provided students with an opportunity to raise concerns, seek clarity and engage directly with their elected representatives.
SRC President Sihle Nkosi presented his report, highlighting key issues affecting students and outlining the SRC’s progress and engagements since taking office.
He emphasised the importance of student funding, particularly the role of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in supporting students and their families. He also raised concerns about historical student debt, noting that outstanding fees can present challenges for some students seeking to progress academically. The SRC also highlighted its efforts to help address the student debt crisis through the Masifunde Sonke project, which seeks to support students affected by outstanding fees.
Nkosi also provided an update on programmes implemented by the SRC, including initiatives focused on student development and leadership, as well as efforts to strengthen communication between the SRC and students.
He emphasised the importance of upholding DUT’s institutional values through academic discipline, regular lecture attendance, respect for lecturers and the protection of university property. He further stressed that students should take responsibility for their conduct, noting that accountability from university management should be matched by responsible behaviour from students.
Finance Officer Thalente Mteshane delivered his report, highlighting concerns raised by students regarding NSFAS funding, including accommodation funding, registration and qualification code issues. He noted that the SRC had assisted hundreds of students with registration fees through the R1 million allocated to the SRC Bridge Relief Fund, as well as more than R1 million allocated to the Interdivisional Working Group.
Mteshane said the SRC had engaged with relevant stakeholders and continued to work with Financial Aid and Student Finance to assist affected students. The report also highlighted concerns around payment plans and students’ inability to access their academic results due to outstanding debts.
The meeting also included a question and answer session, during which students raised concerns and shared challenges they were experiencing. Matters raised included funding, accommodation, academic support, registration and communication.
Students also identified back to back examinations, modes of teaching and insufficient capacity in lecture venues as barriers to lecture attendance, which they said could negatively affect the University’s throughput rate. SRC members responded to the issues raised and provided clarity on the steps being taken to address matters within their mandate.
The engagement provided an opportunity for the SRC to account to students on its commitments and progress, while allowing students to raise matters requiring further attention.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of continued engagement between student leadership, students and relevant University structures in addressing matters affecting the student experience. Issues requiring intervention beyond the SRC’s mandate will continue to be referred to the appropriate structures and stakeholders.
The SRC is expected to hold another mass meeting focused on engaging with students on the Durban campuses, continuing its efforts to strengthen communication, accountability and engagement with the student community.
The SRC also expressed appreciation for the quality of engagement during the question and answer session, highlighting the value of students actively participating and raising issues.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Luyanda Mlaba
