“Your vote is your voice” CUT Bloemfontein campus went into frenzy as the 2015 elections started this morning. Students wore their colourful t-shirts representing their preferred organisation and went in numbers to cast their votes. For others, voting was their first time experience and they needed guidance as to which marquee to go into.

Elections are fully conducted by Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), an independent constitutional body that manages free and fair elections of legislative bodies and institutions through the participation of citizens, political parties, and civil society in deepening electoral democracy. Quoted from his communiqué, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu’s word of advice to voting students stated that, when casting their votes, they should choose a leader that is bold and principled, a pioneer that will be able to promote an excellent and intellectually stimulating environment. He further stated that they should look out for a trendsetter who will be able to take CUT to greater heights, the one who is innovative and embraces diversity and unity. “You should not be led by the least intelligent amongst you. CUT students should not be shy about being intelligent and excellent! This country and CUT do not need fossilized demagogues who recoil into some hackneyed or even moribund ideologies of the 20th or earlier centuries whenever we look for solutions to challenges of the 21st century. I hope you will ensure that the percentage poll is far higher than it ever has been. Could you make it at least 50%? That way you will ensure, too, that the best and the most legitimate leaders lead you. You are intelligent enough to demand to be led by equally intelligent leaders,” he concluded. Participating student organisation includes Democratic Alliance Students’ Organisation (DASO), South African Students Congress (Sasco), Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC), Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (PASMA) and an Independent Candidate, Mpho Ndabambi. In their respective manifestos, all participants have a common ground: NO to financial and academic exclusion, increased NSFAS funding and allocation thereof, more accommodation for student. The voting polling stations will be closed at 21:00.   

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Students casting votes to elect leaders of their choice.