The premature death of democracy at Rhodes University has gradually come about because of growing student apathy. This was vividly illustrated by the failure at the recent Student Representative Council elections for voting to reach a quorum in the first round, forcing controversial tactics to create and maintain student engagement.
The premature death of democracy at Rhodes University has gradually come about because of growing student apathy. This was vividly illustrated by the failure at the recent Student Representative Council elections for voting to reach a quorum in the first round, forcing controversial tactics to create and maintain student engagement.
At present, apathy may be a blessing in disguise.” Dylan Smith wrote in an open letter to the Dean of Students Vivian de Klerk, published online in Oppidan Press.
Smith attributed the lack of student participation to the calibre of candidates. He described them as the “weakest round of presidential candidates in recent SRC history” and asserted that until experienced candidates with a clear vision step up to the challenge of effectively representing the students' needs, student apathy was justified.
With good reason, too. Candidates were unable to articulate their prospective job descriptions and they provided pathetic answers to serious issues. If I had taken a shot for every time a candidate suggested Purple Thursday as a solution to a problem, I would have left the debate inebriated.
Purple Thursday is a weekly celebration of Rhodes pride and culture, celebrated by wearing purple.
“The problems you refer to persist and recur annually, and will continue to do so, unless sufficient students rally around, stand for election, and change things themselves, De Klerk said in her reply to the open letter, also published on oppidanpress.com. It really is up to the students.”
Since then ANC Youth League president Ronald Lamola has attacked student apathy. Speaking at the 21st anniversary of the South African Students' Congress, he expressed concern at the paucity of white or Indian students in student movements.
“In a non-racial movement, this should worry us, he said.
Failure to eradicate this gap will inevitably lead to the death of democracy. In the meantime, one is forced to silently observe as democracy slowly slips into a coma.
