February the 5th was a day filled with gradual disagreement and commotion between the student political parties on campus. At student parliament, formerly to be held at the AWO, I was greeted, by singing and chanting melodies of revolutionary songs from the ANC/SASCO members and representatives.
As soon as it was to proceed it was halted by a power cut, where the VF proposed that it be adjourned and postponed to a later date, ofcourse SASCO declined. Neo Masilela, consol of the Student Representative Council, stated that there were “evil spirits” preventing parliament from continuing, a statement perceived as an insult to the VF. Parliament was then moved to an empty lecture hall at the FGG, where it all erupted. As per regulation all speakers and representatives should be dressed in formal wear, that wasn’t the case with ANC chief whip Matsepe Tsoai and a few other members of the congregation.
Sasco proposed five motions that in turn had representatives up in rage about the decisions taken. To begin with, the Constitutional review of the SRC. Sasco proposed that a forum be created with four members from each political party represented in the student parliament. That a date be set where the forum will discuss the constitution and in return the forum should then be reported back to the student parliament.
Next on the list was Kovsie Sports. It was requested that intervarsity should not be with Pukke and Matties. The selection of the university that we compete with should be done in consultation with the student leaders and the captains of the various sporting codes. As of Kovsie sports was accountable to student affairs, it was proposed that it should now become an independant entity, ensuring that all sporting codes enjoy equal allocation of resources.
The SRC budget was also under questioning. Sasco proposed the budget should be tabled in the student parliament and after approval be published in the IRAWA. A committee meeting was later held to discuss this motion. Werner Pretorius, chairperson of the Treasure, academics, dialogue and associations committee was unavailable to comment on this. Adriaan Van Der Merwe, treasure of the SRC, believes that it’s a great idea to publish the budget in the IRAWA as it will highlight who is accountable for which portfolio and the progress they are making.
Next on the list was stage door. It was proposed that there be no students and staff of the university judges on the panel. That her be only two venues for rotation and fiver judges located at each venue, judging process should be transparent to all residences and the finals should be free for all students.
Irawa reporter |