The first day of the Wits SRC elections kicked off yesterday without any incident following a week characterised by disruptions, suspensions and cancellations.
The first leg of the Wits SRC (Student Representative Council) elections kicked off at the med school and education campuses without incident yesterday. This despite threats ealier in the week from from EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) chairperson, Advocate Dali Mpofu. Mpofu, speaking at Wits on August 24, promised to establish a team that would disrupt the elections if the suspensions of the Wits EFF members were not lifted.
Wits Campus Control officers at the polling booths (who refused to be named), told Wits Vuvuzela before voting started that they were not expecting any disruptions.
Representatives of the various student parties were present at both voting stations and actively encouraged voters to vote for their parties.
The initial voter turnout was slow but picked up over the course of the day.
Phumlile Motloung, first year BEd, said she voted because the current SRC helped her with things such as accommodation, food and she feels that by voting, she will be doing her bit.
Alexander Loukakis, BEd, said he’s voting because it’s his right and he believes that by voting he will know who to turn to if he ever needs help.
Some students were not keen to vote however as they felt their campuses are generally overlooked.
Chris Dube, 5th year MBBCh, said, “I’m not actually voting because I’m sure the SRC does do stuff for other students but they are not visible here on medical campus”.
Sne Mkhwanazi, 2nd year MBBCh said, “I don’t think it’s going to do anything for me. They are all making similar promises to us … and I don’t think they are going to fulfil them”.
The elections continue at the education and medical school campuses today, and comes to the main campuses on the 1st and 2nd August 2015.
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