DSRA Hosts House Committee Inductions

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UKZN Department of Student Residences Affairs (DRSA) hosted a House Committee (HC) Induction for the Howard College and the Medical School campuses.

The training aimed to capacitate the newly elected HC members of 2022/2023 on their roles and responsibilities within the committee. The training session was held at Shepstone Building, Howard College, under the theme: Inspiring Innovation.

The HC is the sub-structure of the Student Representative Committee (SRC) within the DRSA. HC members serve as the mouthpiece for students living in a particular residence and work closely with the Residence Assistant (RA). One of the key duties for HC members is to implement programmes that motivate and improve the daily lives of students living in residence.

Ms Qhamo Gumede, Residence Life Co-ordinator and student development practitioner, emphasised the important role the HC members have to play in facilitating student development programmes that address challenges in residence such as mental health, gender-based violence, suicide and many others. ‘The goal for us as DSRA is to develop students holistically through various projects implementation, we all know that issues faced by students in residences are the reflection of the issues experienced in the broader society,’ said Gumede. She further urged the HC to be innovative, do thorough research on the fundamental challenges faced by students and not focus entirely on the allocated budget for their residence.

Students come from different backgrounds and deal with issues that affect them physically, emotionally, mentally and academically. The HC members were equipped on the structure of the organisation and where to go for assistance by Dr Bhekani Nzimande. ‘The organogram is important. As HC members, we have to know where to go in case we come across challenges.’ 

The Department of Student Residences Affairs Head, Mr Nhlanhla Mthombeni, spoke on the mission and vision of the Department. ‘The mission and vision is very simple for me: we want to produce a conducive living and learning environment for our students,’ said Mthombeni, adding that ‘students need to know how to contain their emotions when dealing with issues, but be able to find solutions.’

Dr Mabuyi Gumede, Residence Life Officer, touched on the role of residence life in supporting the ‘educational mission of the University through implementing residence life programmes.’ These programmes aim to promote learning outside formal classrooms. ‘They are meant to promote the holistic growth and development of students in residence,’ she said.

Mr Sanele Mthembu, Student Governance and Leadership Development Officer at the Medical School was the guest of honour. He addressed the HC members on the leadership qualities required. ‘Do what the people want, but do it in a manner that capacitates your people rather than leads them backwards,’ he said. He also commented on personal accountability saying: ‘We need to take accountability for our lives as leaders so that we are able to lead by example.’

Different leaders within the department addressed various issues and recommendations for students. Mental health, GBV, and suicide are among the concerning challenges students come across in their respective residences. The DRSA aims to address these issues through their programmes with the help of HC members.

Words: Zama Khoza

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini