SASCO says it won't underestimate MK Youth League's influence
With most universities set to have their Student Representative Council (SRC) elections in the coming weeks, the African National Congress (ANC)-aligned SASCO has seen some of its integral members dumping it for the MK Party’s youth wing.
Members of the MK Party sing and chant outside the Constitutional Court hearing in Johannesburg on 10 May 2024 over their leader and former President Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to stand for Parliament. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - The South African Students Congress (SASCO) said that it will not underestimate the influence of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Youth League, suggesting its impact is increasingly being felt within higher education institutions.
With most universities set to have their Student Representative Council (SRC) elections in the coming weeks, the African National Congress (ANC)-aligned SASCO has seen some of its integral members dumping it for the MK Party’s youth wing.
The MK Party recently secured second place in the SRC elections at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), following closely behind the tied leaders SASCO and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Students Command.
SASCO is ramping up its campaign at various universities across the country - in an effort to secure a majority win in the upcoming SRC elections.
In recent years, SASCO has faced significant challenges, losing out to the EFF Students Command at institutions like TUT and Wits University.
SASCO President Vezinhlanhla Simelane recognises the emergence of the MK Youth League as a potential threat but remains confident that the organisation will overcome the challenges.
“As much as some of the areas we’ve lost some campuses, we are confident that in the absence of the MK Party in other campuses, SASCO will remain victorious.”
However, the MK Youth League believes the impact its mother body had in the May elections will influence the SRC elections.