Mr Joyful Gcabashe, the 2022/23 Student Representative Council (SRC) Secretary-General at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is confident that the new DUT SRC is the “best there is, the best there was and definitely the best there will ever be”.
The 26-year-old Gcabashe from Umlazi township, Durban believes what sets them apart is ‘professionalism’ which is one of the five DUT ENVISION2030 principles. He strongly believes that for the SRC to be able to execute their duties effectively, professionalism is key.
“I believe this factor has been neglected for extended periods of time. This is achievable if everyone knows what they are doing and everyone is in sync. We bring professionalism to the table. Being professional gives an impression of intellectual capacity to the one at the receiving end who is processing information,” he added.
As the ‘engine’ that empowers the SRC to move accordingly, Gcabashe’s ambition is for the SRC to propel student activism and involvement to heights unimaginable to men.
“Redirection of energy into the correct channels is what I envision us doing. We have spent too much time in the streets, at the gates to a point where we believe a revolution is closing gates instead of opening books and channelling facts that bind us all in the correct spaces. Major changes and reforms that endorse a non-bias and non-oppressive learning space is what needs to be championed,” explained Gcabashe.
To help the SRC become the best, Gcabashe feels they need an inclusive approach to the population that does not participate in the activities of the institution. Furthermore, he indicated that the drastic increase in the participation of students during SRC elections is key to improving on the 33% turnout voter rate.
He shared that the biggest challenge they faced coming into office was the perception departments/units had about the SRC.
“I believe those that came before us and how they conducted themselves left an ever lasting impression which cripples our working relationship from the get-go. However, we were able to change this perception by having meetings on a regular basis and expressed our character. We must be judged on current proceedings and not by the actions of our predecessors. I hope the next SRC doesn’t go through the same obstacles we went through,” stated Gcabashe, reflecting on the obstacles they have experienced as the new SRC.
Speaking about his inspiration, Gcabashe revealed that the first person that comes to his mind is his late father, who passed away two years ago, a teacher by profession. He aspires to do better than his father by obtaining a PhD or even better to become a professor, which is something he is certain that his father will be proud of. He feels it is about time he focuses on applying himself to becoming what he has always intended to be. He completed his Diploma in Management Accounting at DUT in 2022 and is set to graduate at DUT’s Autumn Graduation in May 2023.
Looking at the SRC’s role during this critical time of registration, the SRC Secretary-General indicated that their main aim is to ensure that students are not victimised as these are testing times for them (students).
“Students coming to campus on invitation has limited the risks and as the SRC we have intervened and we have regular meetings on Thursdays with the stakeholders to speak on which direction the registration must take. Thorough discussion on academic skeleton and changes particularly the extension of registration was the intervention of the SRC collectively. We have also played a role in the postponement of the Orientation,” he explained.
He feels what makes the current registration unique is the willingness of the major stakeholders to listen to the SRC and also enforce ideas created together in the weekly meetings.
Pictured: DUT SRC Secretary-General, Mr Joyful Gcabashe.
Simangele Zuma
