Division claims concern college student
Smangaliso Memela said he will always advocate for the needs of students.
Gamalakhe Esayidi TVET College student Smangaliso Memela said he was being ‘attacked’ for thanking the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in the Tolomane Mnyayiza Region for their donations to students affected by the recent heavy rains.
Memela said he was also being accused of creating a division among the South African Students Congress (SASCO) at the Gamalakhe Campus.
This came after Memela was quoted in the Fever last week (March 14), thanking the youth league for their donations despite SASCO rejecting the initiative.
“I wish to clarify that there were floods in Gamalakhe recently, and people involved in student politics under the banner of SASCO visited 27 students affected by the heavy rains and promised to find them urgent assistance. I then posted pictures and videos of the students’ flooded accommodation on social media asking for help,” he said.
Memela added: “The Regional Task Team convenor of the ANCYL in Tolomane Mnyayiza responded with a comment: ‘Noted Leadership ..we will intervene’. He then called me and asked about the damage and what we might need. I told him groceries and stationery would be appreciated. When he was ready to deliver the donations, he told me to inform the SASCO branch leadership that they would be coming. A plan of what to deliver to the students was made, and a poster was released,” he said.
He said he was confused when the SASCO branch later released a poster saying the initiative was postponed.
The SASCO had released a statement distancing itself from the ANCYL initiative.
Memela said the youth league then decided to deliver the donations without the SASCO banner.
“Now I am being attacked by former leaders and other individuals; I am being told that I am at the centre of division in the region. They say I am dividing the organisation I invest all my time and energy into. The article worsened things because I was told that people say I am picking sides. I am originally from Newcastle, Mbuso Kubheka Region; I don’t have any interest or influence as to who leads and who does not in this region,” he said.
He added that his love for SASCO was unconditional.
“I work with whoever is elected into office. I also respect all the comrades of this region. I don’t do petty politics, especially when it comes to students. I understand the difficulties students face when they are far away from home. If I am able to get them assistance, I will try my best. People should not settle their political scores using the hardships of students,” he said.
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