On Friday, 23 January, the newly elected 2026 University of Pretoria Student Representative Council (SRC) was formally sworn into office. The inauguration ceremony, which took place at 10:00 in the Plant Sciences Auditorium, was led by Constitutional Tribunal Chief Justice Realeboga Chidi. The pivotal event featured staff addresses from the Department of Student Affairs as well as from Student Governance and Leadership (SGAL). In addition to the family and friends of the duly inaugurated, several senior UP staff members had availed themselves for the occasion. The proceedings went smoothly, with the event ultimately highlighting some of the expectations that come with being a member of the SRC.
The formalities began with a brief introduction by SGAL Governance Programmes Manager Sipho Carneson, who welcomed all those in attendance and provided an overview of the proceedings. He then welcomed the Director of Student Affairs Dr Kgadi Mathabathe who provided the official welcoming address. Mathabathe began by highlighting the impact that the attending parents and guardians have had on nurturing student leadership, citing that the values, encouragement, and support provided by parents and guardians coincides with the school’s constitutional structures when cultivating student governance. In issuing congratulations to the incoming SRC, Mathabathe drew attention to the responsibility and selflessness that comes with their positions, emphasising the importance of listening to the diverse voices of the student body. Additionally, the director thanked the Constitutional Tribunal, highlighting the institution’s “role in upholding the values of fairness, justice, [and] due process within our student governance system”.
The importance of UP as an institution in providing “collaboration, mentorship, and shared responsibility” with regard to student leadership was highlighted by Mathabathe when thanking UP Deans, Deputy Deans, Directors, Heads of Residence, and various TuksRes and Department of Student Affairs staff members. Mathabathe concluded by expressing the Department of Student Affairs’ commitment to collaborating with the SRC throughout the upcoming year, saying that the department views the SRC as a “critical partner in advancing student success, wellbeing, inclusion, and leadership development”.
Following the welcoming address, Vice Principal of Student Life Prof. Themba Mosia gave the congratulatory address. Mosia opened by issuing congratulations to the new SRC, acknowledging the Constitutional Tribunal’s efforts, and giving thanks to the senior UP staff members in attendance. Mosia went on to stress the importance of SRC members maintaining their academic successes despite their upcoming responsibilities, advising the council members to not let their duties relating to leadership prevent them from fulfilling their academic obligations. Mosia also placed a spotlight on the significance of parents and guardians being present in order to provide support and guidance to student leaders. He concluded by seemingly discouraging discussing issues related to NSFAS with the university, drawing a line between the financial aid scheme and UP. Mosia said, “We are not NSFAS, we are the University of Pretoria. I know all of NSFAS’s problems still become our problems but… we are a fee-paying university, we’re not free.” He further encouraged students to pay their fees.
The formal inauguration proceedings, led by Chief Justice Chidi, then began. The eighteen members of the SRC were called onto stage in hierarchal order, beginning with Head of Residences and Residence Life Lesedi Mongau and concluding with SRC President Khutso Manyaka. When on stage, each SRC member took an oath and affirmation, raising their right hand and stating, “I do hereby swear that I will, in my capacity as a member of the Student Representative Council of the University of Pretoria, obey, maintain, and protect the Student Bill of Rights, the Constitution for the Student Governance, and the SRC Code of Conduct. [I will] dedicate myself to serving and leading the student community and perform the functions and exercise the powers of my office diligently, to the best of my ability, and without fear, favour, or prejudice, so help me God.” Chidi concluded the proceedings by emphasising the responsibility that the newly inaugurated SRC bears and wishing the council a term that is defined by the “courage to lead and the humility to listen to those that [they] represent”.
Finally, a note of thanks was provided by Head of SGAL Juan-Pierre van der Walt. He began by expressing his thanks to the executive and senior staff members in attendance, as well as other staff members that provide support to the SRC. In keeping with the sentiments of Dr Mathabathe and Prof. Mosia, Van der Walt highlights the importance of the foundations laid and continuous support provided by the parents and guardians of SRC members. He further thanked the Constitutional Tribunal for their organisation and running of the annual inauguration ceremony, and concluded by thanking the newly inaugurated SRC in advance for their upcoming efforts towards serving the student community. He finished off by saying, “You are here to build this institution for a generation that follows you,” marking an end to the 2026 SRC Inauguration Ceremony.
The ceremony marks a new beginning for student governance and leadership at the University of Pretoria. The new SRC has been endowed with both power and privilege that they must exercise responsibly in the upcoming year, ultimately to the benefit of the entire student body.
