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UFS student leader Martin Nyaka elected to national SAUS leadership role

08 September 2025 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Lunga Luthuli

Martin Nyaka, Secretary General of the 2024-2025 Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) and Policy and Transformation Officer (CSRC) on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS), has been elected as Second Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of the South African Union of Students (SAUS).

Nyaka was elected during the first leg of the SAUS conference, held in Gqeberha from 10-13 July 2025. His election is historic, as this is the first time the union has appointed a second DSG. In his new role, he joins the National Executive Council (NEC) alongside the SAUS President, Deputy President, Secretary General, Treasurer-General, and the First DSG.

“It is a great honour for me to have represented the University of the Free State at this important platform, and I remain deeply grateful for the support and assistance I received from the institution throughout this journey,” said Nyaka. He will serve in this role until the next election in 2028.

Anticipated impact

Nyaka explained that his decision to stand for election was influenced by challenges he and his SRC colleagues encountered when addressing certain student-related issues. He noted that some concerns, such as those linked with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), can only be resolved at a national level.

“This position places us in a better position to assist students and to ensure that our students are funded,” he said.

In addition to his role as Second DSG, Nyaka also chairs the SAUS Monitoring and Evaluation portfolio, which oversees several sub-committees within the organisation.

Lessons from leadership

As his SRC term draws to a close, Nyaka reflected on the lessons he will carry into this new role.

“Previously, as student leaders our mindset was very radical, and if ever things would not go our way, we would take to the streets,” he explained. “However, over this last term, the SRC resolved matters and reached agreements with management without protest. An important lesson I take with me is that radicalism is not always the answer. In an organisation like SAUS, we need to sit down and have discussions with stakeholders when there is a deadlock.”

Nyaka emphasised that what excites him most about the opportunity is the chance to work alongside student-leaders from across the country who are equally committed to making a meaningful impact.

News Archive

Spring graduation ceremony

2006-09-15

A three-year old boy from Welkom, Kearabetswe Mokoena, stole the show at the spring graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein. He was dressed in an exact replica of the academic outfit worn by his father, Mr Ketseletso Mokoena, who obtained his LLB degree from the UFS. The outfit was made by Kearabetswe’s mother Mrs Ennie Mokoena. From the left are Mr Mokoena, his son Kearabetswe, and Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.
Photo: Lacea Loader

Prof Mos Thulare (acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Technology) obtained his LL.B. degree during the spring graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein. On the photo, he is congratulated by Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS).
Photo: Stephen Collett

Altogether five master's degrees in Physics were awarded during the University of the Free State's (UFS) spring graduation ceremony in Bloemfontein. It is the biggest group of master's degrees in the history of the UFS Department of Physics awarded during a graduation ceremony. From the left are: Richard Harris, Puleng Ramoshebi, Prof Hendrik Swart (Head of the UFS Department of Physics), Lisa Coetsee and Etienne Wurth. One of the students, Gerhard Olivier, was absent when the photo was taken.
Photo: Lacea Loader

Altogether 29 doctorates were awarded during the University of the Free State's (UFS) spring graduation ceremony in Bloemfontein. Some of the doctorandi are from the left: Drs Nicholas Mtshali (Chemistry), Candice Jansen van Rensburg (Zoology), Ina Claassens (Physics), Martin Ntwaeaborwa (Physics) and Vicki Tolmay (Plant Breeding).
Photo: Lacea Loader

A great number of students from Africa were among the 29 students who received their doctorates during the University of the Free State's (UFS) spring graduation ceremony in Bloemfontein. From the left are: Drs Amaha Kassahun (Grassland Science) and Tolessa Debele (Soil Science), both are from Ethiopia.

A number of doctorates were awarded to students across the world during the University of the Free State's (UFS) spring graduation ceremony held in Bloemfontein. From the left are: Drs Eli Kohn (from Israel who received a doctorate in Near Eastern Studies), Prof Philip Nel (UFS Department of Afro-asiatic. Studies, Sign Language and Language Practice), Prof Annette Wilkinson (Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development at the UFS) and Dr Padmanabhan Nair (from India who received a doctorate in Higher Education Studies). Prof Nel was Dr Kohn's co-promoter and Prof Wilkinson was Dr Nair's promoter.
Photo: Stephen Collett

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