It takes self-discipline and effective leadership skills for members of student governance to lead successfully while also making academic progress. So, how does a member of the regional student representative council (RSRC) maintain self-discipline and consistency in their academic pursuits while attending to students’ grievances daily? The journeys of Andile Ndlela and Sibusiso Selby Mhlongo, respectively Chairperson and Secretary of the Unisa KwaZulu-Natal RSRC.  

Andile Ndlela

Andile Ndlela, Unisa’s KZN RSRC Chairperson, was born in Pinetown and raised in a village called Ixopo, where he started his schooling.

On 10 June 2025, Ndlela obtained his Bachelor of Education degree (Senior and FET Phase).

He says he was inspired by his former high school educators, who believed that he would make a good educator because of his genuine support for other learners, strong communication skills, patience and empathy. That motivated him to study education after matriculating.

Andile Ndlela

Ndlela has always had a genuine passion for sharing knowledge and inspiring students by creating a supportive learning environment where all students feel valued and understood. And that made him enjoy working with students as an RSRC member.

Ndlela mentions that being a Unisa student requires effort and determination because of the institution's distance and online and e-learning character. Initially, he found it challenging to study online, sometimes facing load shedding and network issues, making it difficult for him to write examinations. However, he remained self-disciplined, motivated and dedicated to his studies.

He comments: "Being a Unisa student and RSRC Chairperson has never been easy for me. It requires a lot of discipline, and student governance is a demanding responsibility. Still, the technique I use to balance my studies and students' grievances is to set a timeframe for myself. Every day, four hours are spent studying. The rest of the time is used to assist with student grievances. My strategy assisted me in terms of balancing student governance and academic progress.”

Focus and discipline are key for every Unisa student. As a student leader, Ndlela’s philosophy centres around servant leadership, which prioritises the needs of students and fosters a sense of community among them. He empowers students by encouraging them to take ownership of their academic and personal growth. He also promotes inclusivity, diversity, equity and representation. Moreover, he uses collaboration to build stakeholder partnerships and drive positive change. Ndlela’s advice to students who also want to study in the field of education at Unisa is the following: "Stay focused and motivated, set clear goals and work towards them. Seek mentorship, find guidance from experienced professionals or peers. Develop strong time management skills and balance academic with other responsibilities. Engage with your community. Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. Be adaptable and resilient. Navigate challenges and learn from setbacks."

By embracing these principles, students can set themselves up for success and make the most of their academic journey.

Sibusiso Selby Mhlongo 

Sibusiso Selby Mhlongo, the Secretary of Unisa’s KZN RSRC, was born and raised in Saint Wendolins Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations on 12 June 2025.

Mhlongo is passionate about his work and consistently strives for excellence. He envisages himself being part of government initiatives that strengthen international trade, especially on the African continent, and promote good governance in South Africa. He believes that his character and values complement the field of international relations and will enable him to contribute meaningfully towards addressing the ongoing challenges of unemployment and inequality. 

Sibusiso Selby Mhlongo

He is dedicated to representing students’ voices, advocating for their needs and working to improve the student experience. He aims to bridge the gap between the students and the university administration, thereby ensuring that student concerns are heard and addressed.

As both an RSRC member and a Unisa student, he also had to overcome challenges, including financial constraints and student debt, since he was a self-paying student. Managing tuition fees, study material costs and basic living expenses while trying to focus on his academic journey was incredibly difficult for him. However, he managed to stay on course through self-discipline, careful budgeting and seeking support, where possible. He says the experience taught him resilience and strengthened his commitment to success.

Mhlongo says he had to stick strictly to a schedule and balance his academic pursuits with attending to student grievances and ensuring they were resolved satisfactorily. To achieve this balance, he dedicated weekends and weekday evenings to his academic work, which helped him to stay on track with his studies. He also prioritised completing his assignments in advance, thus allowing him to be flexible in attending to student grievances. This strategy helped him ensure that his academic endeavours and the students’ grievances were handled effectively without compromising.

Mhlongo shares the philosophy that he believes made him a successful student representative: "Drawing from Frantz Fanon’s revolutionary ideals, true leadership must always serve the collective, especially the most marginalised. My leadership philosophy is rooted in listening, simplicity and action. I led with empathy and focused on clear, practical solutions. By being accessible and accountable, I ensured student voices were heard and issues resolved effectively."

In this way, he endeavoured to have a tangible, positive impact on the students’ experience at Unisa.

Mhlongo’s advice to students wanting to study international relations at Unisa is the following: "Over the past three years, I’ve gained practical experience by volunteering with the Department of Community Safety and Liaison in KwaZulu-Natal. I encourage International Relations students to consider volunteering or getting involved in political and community activism. It’s also important to actively research career opportunities aligned to the qualification, as this field offers diverse pathways, in the private sector, public sector and NGOs - it all depends on where you wish to apply your skills.”

As the Unisa community, we thank and commend these two RSRC members for their hard work and inspirational leadership. We wish them all the best in their respective future endeavours and trust that they will continue to inspire others to take up the reins of leadership with the same dedication they have both shown.

* By Slindokuhle Dlamini, Communication and Marketing Intern, KwaZulu-Natal Region