Rhodes University officials were this week scrambling to defuse a storm of protest from political parties over a policy document clamping down on election campaigning activities on the campus.
Rhodes University officials were this week scrambling to defuse a storm of protest from political parties over a policy document clamping down on election campaigning activities on the campus.
The document, drafted and distributed by the Director of Finance and Operations Ross Marriner, banned the distribution of pamphlets on campus and restricted posters to a 100 metre radius of the campus polling station at the Rhodes Theatre, among other measures.
When the document was brought to the attention of Rhodes Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela, he was shocked that it had been made public. “That document was a draft – it was not final and was not approved by the university.”
The document was subsequently adjusted by Mabizela, together with Dean of Students, Dr Vivian de Klerk. The new version states that pamphlets are allowed on campus provided that the candidates comply with standard university policies.
Another significant development is that parties are now allowed to have information tables in the library quad and, as requested by Makana Independent New Deal (Mind) candidate Jock McConnachie, a debate will also be held on campus on Tuesday night.
Parties and Candidates had complained that the restrictions in the original document were highly restrictive. The ANC spokesperson, Phumzile Smile, said he was disappointed by Rhodes campaign protocols and had taken the matter to its provincial structures for legal advice. “Rhodes is not just a private institution, it is a part of the bigger society. It’s a ward on its own,” said Smile.
McConnachie said he had also been taken aback by what he thought was an “unduly restrictive approach towards campaigning on campus”. He described the voting process as "complicated" and said students needed to be informed. “Universities should be places where there is free exchange of ideas. They are an extension of society, so they have a responsibility to students to make them aware of the upcoming elections,” he said.
DA Youth League President, Mbali Ntuli, was in Grahamstown this week and she was prevented from delivering a talk at the university because of the restrictions of the original document. According to the revised policy, campaigning in dining halls during meal times is now also allowed, provided permission is obtained from the hall warden.
“We do not permit door-to-door canvassing in residences – that’s where students live that’s where they want to have peace and quiet,” said De Klerk. However, the updated policy has retained a stipulation that a R10 000 deposit must be paid by candidates holding events to be attended by more than 150 people.
Two venues are available for events – the Great Field and the Great Hall – and when the Great Hall is not available, Barrat Lecture Venue will be available. McConnachie said the deposit was not "realistic" for independent candidates and that it favoured major parties.
“The condition is prejudicial to a formation such as Mind, or to other candidates who may be standing on their own," he said. Independent candidate, Christopher McMichael, a PhD student, said Rhodes's R10 000 deposit demand was "part of a bigger political problem, where money determines your exposure".
McMichael also felt the amount was very unfair, as he was already struggling to raise R3 500 for printing costs. While venues in other Makana wards charge R15-R20 an hour for pre-election events, Mabizela said the R10 000 was a "security deposit" which would be refunded after the event had taken place, provided there was no damage to the venue.
“If one decides to go into politics, one should be aware that it’s an expensive exercise and we don’t want to favour independents over major parties,” he said.
Political parties will contest 14 wards in this year's elections, up from the 12 in the last election. Rhodes was demarcated as a separate ward – Ward 12 – for the 2011 elections.
