Leadership’s compassion and courage led to Daso victory

IT WAS not only Daso’s intense campaigning that saw the organisation claim a historic victory at the University of Fort Hare, but also the leadership’s compassion and courage in solving student challenges.

That was the message from students who were asked why they voted for the Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (Daso). Most said a key factor in the elections was Daso’s willingness to “lend a helping hand”, which saw the organisation take the historic academic institution from the ANC-aligned South African Students Congress (Sasco).

More than 15 students spoken to said they decided to vote out Sasco because it had become “complacent” and “out of touch” with critical issues affecting students. They claimed Sasco leaders were living extravagantly while some students, their meal allowances delayed, went to bed hungry.

Third year African Literature student Pumelele Lavisa said: “I am glad the rest of the students caught up with Sasco’s incompetence.

“The change in students’ hearts started at the beginning of the year when we were engulfed by many challenges, such as lack of residences, financial exclusions and students going to bed hungry.

“Daso leaders at the time were hands-on and were everywhere, assisting students. The Sasco-led SRC was nowhere to be seen.”

Bachelor of Education student Anele Stoyi said one rea- son he voted for Daso was because their leadership “showed compassion and character” during a difficult start to the year. “They made sure each and every student who had issues with registration had their personal phone numbers.”

Neliswa Mkaliphi, a third year Library Information student who had voted Sasco since 2012, said at the begin- ning of the year there had been serious challenges with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and it was only Daso that was there to assist.

Third year Library Information student Anita Myataza, who also voted for Sasco previously, said Sasco leaders, “and those close to them”, were living extravagant lives.

Sasco’s Sithenkosi Lungisa said the R99-million allocated to the university through NSFAS was R18-million less than the previous allocation while student numbers had increased from 11 000 to more than 13 000 this year.

“Daso will experience the same challenges of angry students and we will see how they deal it at the beginning of next year.”