Student bodies confident after vote

NELSON Mandela University students took to the polls yesterday to elect a new student leadership.

The Student Representative Council is expected to be announced today at the university.

Last year, there was no election due to the #FeesMustFall protests taking place across the country.

Instead, an interim body was elected on behalf of the students.

Education student Bandipha Ndikinda, 20, said she voted for the organisation that helped her earlier in the year.

“I voted for the student body that helped me with my registration. I owed them the vote. Their assistance gave me an opportunity to be registered at the university.”

Nolubabalo Matrose, 24, an agricultural student, said her vote went to the organisation she felt could bring positive change.

Nursing student Camilla Singh, 21, said she voted for the organisation that best explained its plans in its manifesto.

Democratic Alliance Student Organisation campaign manager Azola Mboniswa said they were happy with the campaign throughout the buildup to the elections.

“We used local leadership to assist in campaigning because the students know Daso and our achievements during our terms of office,” he said.

“We did not need to bring in heavyweights. We are confident the students will vote for the organisation they know will do right by them.”

Economic Freedom Fighters Students’ Command presidential candidate Asanda Mavuso said they were confident after their campaign.

“We are hoping for a minimum of four chairs in the council.”

South African Students Congress (Sasco) presidential candidate Bamanye Matiwane said students should have used their vote wisely to choose an organisation that would look out for the student first.

Safety and security measures by organisations included party agents to monitor the ballot boxes across the campuses and the presence of IEC representatives.

The voting stations closed at 7pm last night.

Results will be announced later today.