The EFF Youth Command (EFFYC) has, for the first time, secured all available seats in the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) student representative council (SRC) elections, across four campuses on Wednesday.
The result means the EFF’s student wing now controls the Central SRC at WSU, following victories at the East London, Butterworth, Mthatha and Komani campuses.
Competing organisations, including the Progressive Youth Alliance (ANC, Sasco, YCL) and the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (Pasma), did not secure representation.
EFFYC provincial co-ordinator Lubabalo Chulukela said preparation had been key to their performance.
“Victory is preparation,” he said.
“We drafted a well-structured programme where every campus was catered to.
“We celebrated across all four campuses before the results were released, because we had faith in our comrades.”
Chulukela pointed to student protests earlier in 2025 over an eviction case at WSU as a turning point.
He said the organisation’s role in distributing food parcels and toiletries, as well as opposing student evictions, strengthened its standing among students.
“Students were being shot at by the police in their own residence, and the institution wanted to chase the students out of the university,” he said.
“The students in Mthatha said the EFFYC remained the only solution for them.”
Reflecting on the outcome, Chulukela said: “The feeling is beyond excitement. I am really proud of myself, the organisation and the ground forces for their discipline.”
EFF provincial secretary Simthembile Madikizela welcomed the results, describing them as a sign of student confidence in the party.
“We are very happy at the provincial level with these results, as WSU students have shown loyalty and commitment to the EFFYC,” he said.
Madikizela linked the outcome to the organisation’s work during the eviction dispute and the challenges faced by students defunded by NSFAS.
“That was the most painful time in the Eastern Cape, but the students did not lose faith in us,” he said.
He said the new SRC would be led by Mvelo Abenta, the former chair of the Provincial Youth Command, now elected as SRC president.
Madikizela said the EFFYC planned to strengthen its presence at other institutions.
“We will encourage our Youth Command to start addressing the concerns of students at Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare.
“This initiative will help us gain more ground forces, and this will show in the number of voters for the EFF.”
Daily Dispatch
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