NUST POLITICS TO ATTACHMENT TIMES 2015-16: Zicosu

Failure by students in Matebeleland to get places at NUST has in recent years sparked debate between the leaders and the institution, the Bulawayo elders think by so doing the academic institution is furthering the marginalisation phenomenon.

This is a contentious issue that most Newspapers seem to have ignored and hid behind the reason that Ndebele people do not want to learn, they only want to go to South Africa.

DR Grace (picture from Zimeye)

Recent media reports on Dr Amai Grace Mugabe's campaign have seen the rise of this phenomenon as she stresses the assumption that "Ndebele men are only good at marrying and making babies".

This is seen by most Ndebele people as an insult and as a bad label because it's effects are felt by their children who are students at Nust as people make fun of such issues around campus.

This also affects students performance as even lecturers make fun out of it. The engineering department as Nust is highly constituted by Shona people, which most people would argue and say " Are they the only people capable of being engineers".

Most people feel that these tribal politics are further intensified by the government, which they say fails to use its peace and reconciliation commission effectively.

In the absence of public gesture by government, in the absence of a ceremony of truth, justice and forgiveness, without due compensation from those that sent trucks of death to Lupane and Tsholotsho, it is left to the ordinary citizens to take the lead.

The government for years pretended that nothing happened in the 80s, human rights groups unearthed several cases of rape, torture and murder but all this was swept beneath the carpets of important offices. The closest we have come to a presidential apology is flippant reference to the murderous eighties as ‘a moment of madness.’ Really? That’s all it was? "A moment of madness."

It is impossible to save a gangrenous limb if he that bares it dismisses it as just a bruise .Perhaps that is the reason the wounds have not healed.Students do not need these old politics cropping into their future.

Why not create a generation that does not hate each other by not stereotyping each other? Why not address the Gukurahundi issue once and for all? Why not make a conducive environment for the future leaders to imitate good governance?

What students need is an environment where tribal politics have no place, a future filled with happiness and respect for every citizen in Zimbabwe.

Grace Mugabe Stories

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/columns-18475-Grace+and+Zanu+PF%E2%80%99s+Ndebele+provocation/columns.aspx

http://www.nehandaradio.com/2014/10/14/men-matabeleland-interested-sex-lazy-grace-mugabe/

http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit-m-bulawayo24-news-matabele-men-only-good-at-making-babies-dr-mugabe/

http://www.myzimbabwe.co.zw/news/1604-matabeleland-men-are-only-good-at-impregnating-women-dr-grace-mugabe-says.html

https://www.newsday.co.zw/2014/10/15/grace-mugabe-insensitive-removed-reality/

http://www.zimeye.com/grace-mugabe-angers-zapu/

Further to that, Dr Mugabe also accused men from Matabeleland South for not developing themselves but just interested in going down south to Johannesburg to do menial jobs. This is the second time in under 2 years that the first family has attacked the people from Matabeleland for the great trek to South Africa.
- See more at: http://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-55646.html#sthash.oIYdLZ8V.dpufhttp://www.zimdiaspora.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=8521:storm-over-shona-students-in-the-nust-new-candidates-list&Itemid=18

Further to that, Dr Mugabe also accused men from Matabeleland South for not developing themselves but just interested in going down south to Johannesburg to do menial jobs. This is the second time in under 2 years that the first family has attacked the people from Matabeleland for the great trek to South Africa - See more at: http://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-55646.html#sthash.oIYdLZ8V.dpuf

First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe says that man from Matabeleland are only good at marrying and making babies instead of developing their areas - See more at: http://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-55646.html#sthash.oIYdLZ8V.dpuf

Failure by students from Matebeleland to enroll at NUST has in recent years sparked debate by leaders in the region who are accusing the institution of furthering the marginalization of the region. - See more at: http://www.umthwakazireview.com/index-id-news-zk-183.html#sthash.hBChvj0A.dpuf

Students' representative council (SRC), also known as a students' administrative council, represents student interests in the government of a University or other educational institutions. Generally the SRC forms part of a broader students' association which may include other functions such as societies, entertainments (in the form of a Students' union) and sports (in the form of a sports' union).

Universities may have a statutory obligation to receive representation from the SRC and it is usual for student representatives from the SRC to form part of university structures including the University court , academic senate and other bodies.

The background behind the formation of these student representative bodies is highly commendable as they bring about a lot of transparency in the government of Universities.

However, with the case of Zimbabwe Universities, the SRC's presence is not felt as they fail to execute their mandatory duties.

Students feel that these student bodies only partake in SRC elections so that they have funds to finance their own businesses which do not have anything to do with University students.

It is common knowledge that the two most powerful parties in all Universities in Zimbabwe are Zimbabwe Congress Of Students Union (ZICOSU) which has close ties with Zanu PF and Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) which has close ties with MDC, how can such student bodies represent students whilst they have to impress their "Bosses" too, surely no one can ever serve two masters.


NUST President at the Valentines dinner (picture by Michelle Mulingo)

NUST needs a student representative body that is independent from all" National Politics", this will ensure that students welfare is taken care of. A body that will not just receive students' $5 and buy suits and cars but use it for the betterment of the University.

Students need a body that will not allow National politics to interfere with the smooth running of the University, a united and focused student movement that will deliver much needed improvement of educational standards which we all aim to achieve.