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27 August 2019
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Story Moeketsi Mogotsi
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Photo Johan Roux
The University of the Free State’s Student Representative Council (SRC) elections took place on the Bloemfontein,
Qwaqwa, and
South campuses during August.
The following candidates were successfully elected as 2019/2020 SRC members on our three respective campuses.
BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS SRC:President:Katleho Lechoo
Deputy President:Agobakwe Mboweni
Secretary:Nothabo Zungu
Treasurer:Zandile Makalima
Policy and Transformation:Kamohelo Thakheli
Student Development and First-Generation Students:Thobeka Buti
Commuter Students:Karabo Mtsweni
Associations Student Council:Mandilakhe Magalakanqa
Student Organisations Council:Dieketseng Motaung
Academic Student Council:Lebofsa Malete
Day Residence Council:Gert Terblanche
Campus Residence Council:Tyrone Willard
Postgraduate Student Council:Mahlomola Khasemene
International Student Council:Simba Matem
Student Media and Dialogue Council:Karabo Masike
Universal Access and Social Justice Council:Micaula Jewell
Civic and Social Responsibility Council:Nthato Musa
Arts and Culture Council:Motshidisi Rasego
Sports Council:Sphumelele Dube
QWAQWA CAMPUS SRC:President:Xolani Sandile Sibiya
Deputy President:Thembinkosi Phenyane
Secretary General:Nelisiwe Bridget Masango
Treasurer:Ntandoyenkosi Khumalo
Policy and Transformation:Bongiwe Nakile Khumalo
Student Development and First-Generation Students:Thokozani Siphiwe Zuma
Commuter Students:Thabiso Celimpilo Masuku
Media and Publicity:Simphiwe Sinenhlanhla Dube
Associations and Religious Affairs Student Council: Sicelo Mathews Twala
Campus Residence Council: Thabo Abraham Motaung
Arts and Culture Council:Andile Saviour Maseko
Academics Council:Siyabonga Mpumelelo Mbambo
Sports Council: Tshepiso Fortune Tshabalala
Universal Access and Social Justice Council: Siphamandla Joseph Shabangu
Postgraduate Student Council:Thato Karabo Moloi
International Student Council:Mamokete Mokhatla
SOUTH CAMPUS SRC:President: Phehellang Ralejoe
Deputy President:Nokubonga Mangaliso
Secretary:Mpumelelo Ndzube
Treasurer:Sithembiso Khoza
Policy and Transformation:Casles Phasha
Commuter Students:Sthembele Kunene
Democracy and traditional leadership in rural areas explored
2017-09-22
Prof Lungisile Ntsebeza, recipient of the NRF Hamilton
Naki Award
Photo: Supplied
The Free State Centre for Human Rights held a presentation by Prof Lungisile Ntsebeza on 7 September 2017 at the University of the Free State (UFS) Bloemfontein Campus on the topic of democracy and traditional leadership in rural areas. Prof Ntsebeza is the holder of the AC Jordan Chair in African Studies at the University of Cape Town and the holder of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Research Chair in Land Reform and Democracy in South Africa.
Conflict between democracy and traditional rule
The topic of democracy and traditional leadership in the rural areas is an example of the tension between democracy and customary law governing the appointment of traditional leaders (headmen) that is currently at play in many parts of the country. Prof Ntsebeza made reference to a court case in the Eastern Cape, where a community successfully challenged the appointment of a headman by the royal family of the area. The contention was whether royal families could appoint headmen in rural communities or if those communities ought to democratically elect their own leaders. He argued that in this specific case, the democratic imperatives of the Constitution did not conflict with customary law because of the particular communal practice of electing leaders.
The Constitution and customary law
The Constitution of South Africa recognises customary law provisions which are not in conflict with its fundamental values. Difficult legitimacy problems may arise where customary practices are different from those governing this particular case. Ultimately the Constitutional Court would be called upon to resolve inherent tensions and develop customary law in line with the direction foreseen in the Constitution.
Student engagement as a vehicle for change
The event was attended by UFS staff and fourth-year LLB students in the Faculty of Law, and was funded by the Free State Centre for Human Rights at UFS. The programme is one of several that the centre seeks to utilise in engaging students with researchers and scholars in the field of law and human rights. Prof Ntsebeza has given academic presentations on various related and trending topics in the current academic climate, such as decolonising the curriculum, Cecil John Rhodes and others. He was recently awarded the Hamilton Naki Award at the 2017 National Research Foundation Awards.