AfriForum Youth member clinches victory in TUKS SRC election despite smear campaign
A final-year law student at the University of Pretoria (UP) has just been appointed as the new Secretary of Tuks’ Student Representative Council (SRC) despite a series of false allegations and deliberate attempts to damage her reputation and derail her election campaign. The independent election company Elections Management Consulting Agency of Africa (EMCA), which managed the SRC elections, launched an investigation into the false allegations against Euléne Bornman, also an AfriForum Youth board member, and found today that the allegations are unfounded.
AfriForum Youth emphasises that Bornman’s integrity and commitment to the rights of students instil confidence in her fellow students as Tuks and that this, rather than blatant lies, ultimately played a decisive role in her election campaign.
Unfounded and false allegations of racism, the removal of Bornman’s election posters and even incidents of intimidation are indicative of the vendetta waged against Bornman during the election period.
“These attempts to derail Bornman’s campaign were unsuccessful, but extremely worrying and show an unhealthy culture in campus politics that is not only to the detriment of the candidates involved but to that of students as a whole,” explains Marné Buys, AfriForum Youth Spokesperson. “However, despite the unfair opposition that Bornman had to endure, AfriForum Youth is delighted with her election to the SRC. Her perseverance, optimism and determination to serve this university’s students is far greater than the malicious attempts to scare her off. It is based on these qualities that students were convinced to put their trust in her and elect her to the SRC. Students sent a clear message with this election, emphasising that they want leaders who can bring about real change.”
An official investigation has since been launched against the individual who made the false allegations against Bornman. AfriForum Youth is confident that the Independent Monitoring Body, which ensures that the SRC elections are free and fair, will handle the investigation transparently and fairly and that the truth will prevail.
Bornman recently launched a campaign against the National Financial Aid Scheme for Students (NSFAS) to mitigate the negative impact of the mismanagement of this scheme by means of legal action.
Following her election to the SRC, Bornman thanked the students for their support. “I am humbled by the trust the students have placed in me. I want to fight for the rights of all students, ensuring a transparent, inclusive and accountable SRC. Together, we can make our university a better place for everyone. Even though many challenges will be faced, I am excited to face them head-on,” explains Bornman. “My goal is to be instrumental in creating an SRC that not only listens to the UP students but takes action.”
AfriForum Youth is committed to their support for Bornman and the betterment of the university and students’ university experience.
