KZN hosts student leadership induction and development session

The Regional Student Representative Council (RSRC) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was recently inducted in Durban at an occasion attended by Dr Sibusiso Chalufu (Dean of Students), Brian Dlamini (Acting Regional Director), Wadzanai Mazhetese (President: National Student Representative Council), Lungile Nhlenyama (Chairperson: RSRC), Student Development officials, KZN management, and student leaders at large.  The event was also an opportunity for the Student Development staff to conduct leadership development with the incoming and outgoing RSRC members.

From left: Wadzanai Mazhetese, President: NSRC and Brian Dlamini, Acting Regional Director

Dr Chalufu spoke at length about student leaders being members of the society before they are student leaders. 'Student leaders must always remember that they are not in leadership positions for their own sake, but they are there to serve students and the society at large,' he said. 'The objective of seeking a leadership position should be inspired by a desire in a student leader to contribute towards building a better educated and a responsible society.' 

From left: Lungile Nhlenyama, Chairperson: RSRC, Dr Sibusiso Chalufu, Dean of Students and Brian Dlamini, Acting Regional Director

The NSRC President, Wadzanai Mazhetese, pleaded for more academic support for student leaders once elected for them to be able to progress in their studies as well.  'The primary purpose for every student, including student leaders, when they enrol at a university, is to obtain a qualification,' he said. 'For this reason, student leaders should be supported by the university in order for them to accomplish that critical aspect of being a student.'

Members of the incoming RSRC attending the induction

Other speakers, including the RSRC Chairperson and the Acting Regional Director, emphasised that there is a need for resource allocation and decentralisation of student administration to the regions to improve student service delivery where it is needed most.

The induction and leadership submit was well received by the incoming RSRC as they engaged meaningfully with speakers on various issues, including student support services available in the region and how to access them.