The South African Students Congress (SASCO) convened its National Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, 13 October 2022 following a series of National Working Committee meetings which were tasked to assess work done towards convening its biannual National Congress.
The National Executive Committee is satisfied with the work done thus far in rebuilding active structures during post Covid19 lockdown, even though it still believes a lot still needs to be done.
SASCO has solid active structures across all public Institutions both at Universities and TVET campuses, the NEC believes that the call to make TVET Colleges institutions of choice continues to be relevant and calls on the government to invest more adequate resources.
In our assessment the only solution is Free Quality and Compulsory Education, our education must be freed from the bondage of Capitalism and must be accessible to all.
The South African Students Congress (SASCO) is highly engaged in a vigorous Student Representative Council Elections campaign trial across the length and breadth of the country.
We have declared this year’s elections campaign as a year of Activism and Reclaiming Absolute Hegemony, we must say that we are pleased by the reception and the confidence that students from both TVET and Universities continue to show by Voting SASCO.
Thus, We wish to say to all our volunteers that these victories are not for us to gloat about but for us to deliver speedily to our campus constituents because SASCO remains their only shield and beacon of hope.
We know that in a few institutions namely, UCT, UL, NMU, DUT, and UNIVEN we have suffered setbacks but we must continue to work harder to ensure that the campaign for 2023 begins now.
SRCs must remain relevant governance structures for us to use to advance our Transformative Agenda and must never be seen as a vehicle to advance corruption or shortcut to achieve wealth.
Therefore, SASCO must continue to be vigilant that the new online systems are not used to undermine the voice and vote of students in order for management to install their puppets.
Conscious to its current challenges and strengths the NEC resolved to convene the 22nd National Congress from the 17 – 20 of November 2022, in Gauteng Province. The 22nd National Congress shall be attended by Branch Delegates, Regional and Provincial Leadership and is expected to receive presentations and reports for its consideration in dealing with the dire challenges that face the Higher Education and Training sector.
The National Congress shall be convened under the theme, *“Towards rebuilding the student’s hegemony for the realization of Free Quality & Compulsory Education: Celebrating 31 years of SASCO”.*
We are well aware that Congress fever turns to showcase the silliness and pettiness in some but we wish to call on all Leaders and Members to remain focused on the task at hand of reclaiming the lost ground and consolidating victory on the remaining upcoming SRC Elections.
Therefore, we expect maximum discipline from all members and leaders of SASCO, we urge them to resist the temptation to engage in peddling negative propaganda about each other and the organization. Every member compliant with the supreme document has a right to have a preference or to elect who they see fit.
Congress Lobbying must, however, not be at the cost of anyone’s mental health or human dignity, as we have witnessed in the recent past.
SASCO REMAINS A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL!
Issued by SASCO
Bamanye Matiwane
President
Buthanani Thobela
Secretary General
For Enquiries:
Luvuyo Barnes
Media & Communication Liaison
079 393 7131
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