Stenden South Africa is proud to announce the election and appointment of its new Student Representative Council (SRC) for the upcoming July 2026 – June 2027 tenure. The SRC plays a vital role and influence to campus life, and serves as a direct bridge to institutional leadership.
Following a highly competitive application and voting process, the student body has chosen its next generation of leaders. Throughout June, the outgoing council will hand over operations, ensuring a seamless transition before the new SRC officially takes office after the July holidays.
Outgoing SRC members together with the new portfolio Heads
Leading the Charge: Executive Portfolios
Stepping into the roles of executive leadership are Jané Botha as President and Taylor Jattiem as Vice-President. Botha and Jattiem will spend their tenure liaising directly with Stenden management, addressing challenges, putting forward student-led initiatives, and ensuring student voices are heard.
Jane Botha moves into the presidency after an incredibly impactful term leading the Community Development (Commuden) portfolio. Under her guidance, the Commuden team raised R40,000 for the Inkabantwana Educare Centre to install electricity and working bathrooms, established outreaches at Damnat Lodge to support residents’ mental well-being, and fostered a strong spirit of service through weekly community initiatives.
“I found it both meaningful and rewarding, leading initiatives that have made a tangible difference in the Port Alfred community and the lives of the Stenden students,” said Botha, expressing deep gratitude to the student body for their dedication.
Introducing the 2026/2027 SRC Portfolio Managers
The incoming council comprises a dedicated team of students across ten diverse portfolios, each designed to elevate the st
New SRC Portfolio Holders
udent experience:
- Commuden (Community Development): Adam Pons steps into this vital role, aiming to build on the massive community milestones established over the past year.
- Events: Faith Nxoyi and her team will head up campus student experiences, including the highly anticipated annual Mr and Ms Stenden pageant, focusing on creating lasting memories.
- Catering: Naledi Mbutuma will manage student feedback regarding daily campus meals, working directly with campus catering staff and organizing a weekly student meal.
- Sport: Izandri Smit takes over the reins from outgoing manager James Verburg. Smit’s passion and genuine care for student well-being will drive weekly training sessions and matches to take Stenden’s sporting culture to new heights.
- Facilities: Salizwa Ntlabezo steps in to collaborate with maintenance, facilities, and operations teams. Outgoing manager Gemma Braun noted it was an “incredibly rewarding experience” to make positive changes to daily student life, and Ntlabezo enters the role with a wealth of new ideas.
- Enviro: Kendra Ball succeeds Meghan Keulder (known for her educational environmental documentary nights) and will focus on uplifting campus environmental practices and initiating green projects.
- IT Liaison: Bulungisa Msengana brings massive enthusiasm to this digital bridge role, focusing on running student workshops for computer literacy, digital shortcuts, and productivity tips.
- Academics: Nyaradzai Mugomeza takes on this high-responsibility portfolio. As is practice with the mid-module evaluations, Nyaradzai Mugomeza will continue to conduct these surveys to maintain Stenden’s exceptionally high standard of academic satisfaction, acting as the primary student-to-management academic liaison.
- Social Media: Azlynn Madhoo will command the “Stenden Swallows” brand, working with Student Affairs and Marketing . Have you heard of Stenden Swallows? This is the playground of the SRC Social Media portfolio, and showcases the activities and the events the students participate in. Supported by the rest of the SRC, the Social Media portfolio captures the heart of what is means to be a student at Stenden and showing this through the social media channels TikTok and Instagram.
- Secretary: The council is rounded out and kept organized by the newly appointed Secretary, Deandré Smit.
A Bright Year Ahead
Stenden South Africa extends its warmest congratulations to the incoming SRC members. The institution stands firmly behind this new leadership team and wishes them a successful term filled with personal growth, fun, and strong camaraderie as they shape the future of student life.
