Long before they stepped into prominent student leadership positions at the University of the Free State (UFS), six members of the
2025/2026 Student Representative Council (SRC) had already decided to serve their fellow students. Their journeys offer a glimpse into how experiences centred on well-being, connection, and peer support can contribute to student leadership.
Today, Ogorogile Moleme serves as President and Tumelo Mats’ela represents the International Student Council on the Bloemfontein Campus SRC. On the South Campus, Emilio Mmako is Deputy President, Mduduzi Viliwe serves as Secretary, Olorato Moroke represents Commuter Students, and Vuyo Mohammed represents the Arts and Culture Student Council. They all share something beyond their current roles in student governance, though: they have each been part of the
Student Counselling and Development (SCD) Influencer programme. The programme enables student ambassadors to connect their peers with the support, services, and opportunities offered by SCD.
Moleme, already passionate about mental health, saw becoming an influencer as an opportunity to equip himself to support others. During his two years in the programme, he participated in campus activations, visited residences, and helped students learn about counselling and other SCD services. Reflecting on the role, he describes being an SCD Influencer as a vital link between students and the support available to them. Moleme says, “If there’s one thing that must be on your priority list for a successful varsity journey, it is definitely knowing about SCD and keeping your mental health in check.”
It is an idea that resonates strongly with Viliwe, who was an SCD Influencer on the South Campus in 2025. The experience highlighted the importance of students helping other students find the support available to them. Looking back from his current SRC position, he has gained a broader perspective on the value of student support structures and their contribution to a healthier campus environment. For Viliwe, programmes such as the SCD Influencer programme are important in “bridging the gap between students and the support services available to them”.
Moroke’s motivation was similarly grounded in service. He wanted to use his voice to raise awareness of student well-being, encourage help-seeking, and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health. His experience has also reinforced the importance of peer connection. Sometimes, he believes, students simply need someone they can relate to who can say: “It is okay to ask for help.”
The journey of these six student leaders demonstrates the value of student-to-student support. The SCD Influencer programme allowed them to engage with students, raise awareness, listen to their concerns, and connect them with mental health services.
Their progression from SCD Influencers to elected student representatives reminds us that leadership does not always begin with a title.
Sometimes, it begins with noticing what others need – and choosing to care.