Professor Andrew Crouch, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Sol Plaatje University (SPU), recently hosted the SPU Student Representative Council (SRC) Inauguration Dinner for incoming members of the 2022/2023 SRC. He also bid farewell to outgoing 2021/2022 members. The dinner was hosted at the South Campus Hall on 2 November 2022, with staff and students in attendance.
Ms Nicole Morris, Dean for the Division of Student Affairs, welcomed the attendees. “Let me take this time to thank all outgoing SRC members for the contributions made during their tenure as they advocated for their fellow students whilst still maintaining the University’s vision and mission,” she said. “To the incoming SRC: I wish you all well, and I would like to encourage you to remember that you won’t have it all figured out in the beginning. Busy as we are, the senior management are here to offer guidance and support on matters even when at times we won’t see eye-to-eye. So tonight, network and get to know your fellow members as well as staff members because being in a leadership position is not a one-man job.”
Outgoing SRC President Mr Solomon Mosiane said, “Being a leader is very special, and having represented over 3 000 students, you learn with time that leadership is not about you. It’s about every student, and more importantly about being a representative of the University. Remember that wherever you go: you are an ambassador of the University, and students have put you in this position to advocate for their rights, so I would advise the incoming SRC to lead with integrity and maintain the vision and mission of the University and be the voice for the voiceless.”
Prof Crouch thanked the outgoing SRC for launching various initiatives in aid of students during their term in office. “I wish you all well in your future endeavours. Remember that you are ambassadors of SPU inside and outside the institution,” he said, before reminding the incoming SRC about their constitutional obligation in relation to institutional governance and their contribution to the success of SPU’s academic project. “Leaving a legacy is important for future SRCs to build upon. Aspire to shape a student body that will embrace the principles of tolerance, probity, accountability, honesty, and impartiality.”
Certificates of Appreciation to the outgoing SRC were handed over by Ms Morris, Prof Crouch, and Mr Buntu Manyaka, Senior Manager: Student Life and Development. This was following by a ceremonial procedure including the reading of the Oath of Office by Prof Crouch and repetition by the incoming SRC.
Incoming SRC President Mr Israel Mulovhedzi said, “I would like to thank the outgoing SRC for the work done together in the past year. It was a bumpy ride, but we achieved more than what we could have imagined. Allow me to congratulate the incoming SRC; let us continue working together and leave behind legacy projects. May we continue advocating for students and being ambassadors of the institution.”
