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SAUS/OFFICIAL/2026 · National Representative Body

Empowering Student Voices.
Advancing Higher Education.

The South African Union of Students (SAUS) is the official representative body for students across all 26 public universities in the Republic of South Africa. Education is a constitutional right — we ensure it is treated as such.

0

Public Universities
Represented

0

Year of
Establishment

9th

National Executive
Congress (2025)

1M+

Students
Represented

Representing all 26 public universities in the Republic of South Africa

SAUS/MANDATE/2026

What We Stand For

SAUS was constituted to consolidate and strengthen student representation in governance of Higher Education and Training across all 26 public universities in South Africa.

Mission

To consolidate and strengthen students' views in the governance of Higher Education and Training, ensuring equitable access for all students across the Republic.

Vision

A unified, equitable, non-sexist, non-racial, and democratic education system that is responsive to the needs of South Africa, Africa, and the world.

Equity & Justice

Advocating for fair, inclusive, and accessible education for all students regardless of socioeconomic background, race, or gender.

Unity & Solidarity

Building collective student strength through collaboration, structured activism, and shared purpose across all institutions.

"Education is a right, not a privilege — SAUS ensures every student, regardless of background, has access to affordable, quality, and inclusive higher education."

South African Union of Students — Constitutional Mandate

SAUS/CAMPAIGNS/2025–2026

Priority Campaign Areas

The following campaigns represent the foremost policy advocacy priorities of the 9th National Executive Committee as resolved at the National Elective Congress, 2025.

NSFAS Reform

Redesigning the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for sustainability, reliability, and strengthened communication to ensure no student is left without support.

Historical Debt Relief

Compelling government to clear historical student debt, beginning with deceased students and unemployed graduates unable to service their accounts.

GBV on Campuses

Investigating GBV and Femicide policies across all 26 institutions and setting minimum standards for security conduct in handling GBVF cases.

SAUS/MEDIA/2025–2026

Recent Statements & Releases

23

Aug '25

Congress Statement

Post-9th National Congress Statement — SAUS 9th NEC Elected

Following the successful conclusion of the 9th National Elective Congress, SAUS announces the newly elected National Executive Committee and outlines key resolutions for the 2025–2026 term.

Read Full Statement →

Official

14

Jul '25

Urgent Statement

SAUS Calls for Complete Redesign of NSFAS

SAUS demands immediate intervention by the Department of Higher Education and Training to overhaul the National Student Financial Aid Scheme amid continued student funding crises.

Read Full Statement →

Urgent

02

Jun '25

Policy Statement

SAUS Opposes National Credit Act Amendments Targeting Students

SAUS firmly and categorically rejects proposed amendments to the National Credit Act that would list student debt with credit bureaus, a punitive measure against South Africa's most vulnerable students.

Read Full Statement →

Policy

SAUS/EVENTS/2026

Upcoming Engagements

National congresses, student leadership summits, policy town halls, and campus activations across the Republic of South Africa.

SAUS/ABOUT/2026 · Institutional Overview

About the South African Union of Students

A constitutional overview of SAUS — its establishment, mandate, institutional history, and continental standing as South Africa's official national student body.

26

Public Universities
Represented

2006

Year of
Establishment

9th

National Executive
Congress

1M+

Students
Represented

SAUS/PROFILE/2026

Institutional Profile

SAUS is the only body mandated to represent all students across all 26 public universities in the Republic of South Africa.

Field	Details
Full Designation	South African Union of Students (SAUS)
Date of Establishment	April 2006
Legal Status	Non-Profit National Student Representative Body
Current Congress	9th National Executive Committee (2025–2026)
Institutional Coverage	All 26 Public Universities in the Republic of South Africa
Headquarters	Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Website	www.saus.org.za
General Correspondence	Secretariat@saus.org.za
Media Spokesperson	Thato Masekoa · +27 79 129 5948
Office Hours	Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:00
Source: SAUS Secretariat, 2026

SAUS/MISSION/2026

Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

To consolidate and strengthen students' views in the governance and enhancement of Higher Education and Training in South Africa, ensuring every student has access to affordable, quality, and inclusive education — delivered within a system that is equitable, non-sexist, non-racial, and democratic.

Vision Statement

A unified, equitable, non-sexist, non-racial, democratic, and well-governed education system that is appropriate and responsive to the needs of South Africa, Africa, and the world — providing a conducive environment for learning, teaching, research, and community service.

SAUS/VALUES/2026

Core Values

The values that govern SAUS's conduct, advocacy, and governance across all 26 institutions.

Non-Racial

Opposing all forms of racial discrimination and working towards a higher education system free of racial barriers and inequities.

Non-Sexist

Championing gender equality across campuses and ensuring that all policies and practices are free from sexism in any form.

Democratic

Operating through democratic processes, structures, and elections that give every member institution an equal and meaningful voice.

Anti-Corruption

Upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in all governance structures and financial management at every level.

Progressive

Advancing transformative change in higher education that addresses historical injustices and builds a more equitable future.

Pan-Africanist

Situating South African student struggles within the broader context of African liberation, solidarity, and continental development.

SAUS/HISTORY/2026

Historical Background

SAUS represents a historic milestone in South African student politics — the first national union of students constituted since the dissolution of NUSAS in the late 1980s.

Students have played an instrumental role in South African education and politics since the 1960s, most notably during the 1976 Soweto Uprisings. The reconstitution of a national student body in 2006 marked a new chapter — one defined by democratic governance and constructive engagement with the post-apartheid higher education system.

1960s

Emergence of Student Structures

Student organisations become instrumental in the education sector, laying the foundation for organised student resistance against apartheid education policies.

16 June 1976

Soweto Student Uprisings

Students play a decisive role in the uprisings — a defining moment in the liberation struggle that established the student movement as a critical political force in South Africa. June 16 is now commemorated as Youth Day.

Late 1980s

Dissolution of NUSAS

The National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) is dissolved, creating a void in national student representation that would persist for nearly two decades.

Early 2000s

Higher Education Restructuring

The South African government restructures the higher education landscape through mergers and incorporations — creating a new landscape of universities and universities of technology that necessitated a unified national student voice.

April 2006

SAUS Founded

The South African Union of Students is officially constituted — uniting universities and universities of technology under one national student representative body for the first time since the 1980s.

2015–2016

#FeesMustFall Movement

SAUS plays a central coordinating role during the nationwide #FeesMustFall protests, which compelled government to announce fee freezes and ultimately the 2018 free higher education policy for qualifying students.

July–August 2025

9th National Elective Congress

The 9th NEC is elected at Nelson Mandela University (Port Elizabeth) and Boontjieskraal (Kimberley) under the theme "Confronting the suppression of student activism and advancing transformative student governance."

SAUS/CONTINENTAL/2026

Continental Presence

SAUS situates South African student activism within the broader context of African solidarity and continental higher education development.

Pan-African Solidarity

SAUS maintains bilateral relations with student representative bodies across the African continent, fostering solidarity on shared challenges in higher education access and funding.

SADC Engagement

Active participation in Southern African Development Community student forums, contributing to regional policy development on higher education access, mobility, and recognition of qualifications.

African Union Forums

Engagement with African Union Commission structures on the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area's implications for student mobility.

"The struggles of South African students are inseparable from the struggles of students across Africa. SAUS stands in solidarity with every student fighting for the right to quality, affordable education."

SAUS 9th National Congress — Continental Solidarity Resolution, 2025

SAUS/CAMPAIGNS/2025–2026 · Policy Advocacy

Policy Campaigns & Resolutions

The following policy positions were formally resolved at the 9th National Elective Congress (2025) and represent SAUS's official advocacy agenda for the current term of office.

SAUS/RES/2025 — 9th Congress Resolutions

Active Campaign Resolutions

All resolutions below carry the full authority of the 9th National Elective Congress and are binding on the 9th National Executive Committee.

RES 01

NSFAS Reform & Redesign

Priority: CriticalStatus: ActiveDept: DHET

SAUS resolves to campaign for the complete redesign of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to ensure sustainability, reliability, and the establishment of a strengthened communication system between the scheme and beneficiary students.

SAUS further resolves to develop an alternative, sustainable funding model that centres student dignity and guarantees that no qualifying student is denied support mid-academic year. This includes addressing the chronic failures in disbursement timelines and the lack of transparent student communication protocols.

RES 02

Historical Student Debt Relief

Priority: CriticalStatus: ActiveDept: DHET / Treasury

SAUS resolves to actively campaign for the government to clear all historical student debt, commencing with deceased students and unemployed graduates who have demonstrated inability to service outstanding balances.

SAUS further resolves to initiate a lobbying campaign against proposed amendments to the National Credit Act that would list student debt with credit bureaus — a punitive measure that would close future financial opportunities for an entire generation of graduates.

RES 03

Missing Middle & Postgraduate Funding

Priority: HighStatus: In DevelopmentDept: DHET

SAUS resolves to develop a sustainable, dedicated funding scheme for "missing middle" students, postgraduate students, and N+ students who have exceeded the standard funded period. This scheme must be developed in consultation with the Department of Higher Education and Training and relevant Treasury officials.

RES 04

GBV & Campus Safety Standards

Priority: HighStatus: Under InvestigationDept: All Institutions

SAUS mandates the NEC to investigate whether all institutions have fit-for-purpose Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) policies, and to propose minimum standards for the appointment and conduct of private and institutional security personnel in relation to the handling of GBVF cases and student protests.

RES 05

Abolition of Application Fees

Priority: HighStatus: Active CampaignDept: All Institutions

SAUS resolves to campaign actively for the abolition of application fees at all public higher education institutions in South Africa. Application fees constitute an unjust barrier that prevents the most economically vulnerable students from accessing the right to apply for a university place.

RES 06

Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Priority: MediumStatus: Working Paper PhaseDept: All Institutions / DHET

The 9th Congress resolves that SAUS must develop a comprehensive working paper on the role of Artificial Intelligence in strengthening and broadening academic and administrative support for students across the higher education sector. The paper must address equity implications for students from under-resourced backgrounds.

SAUS/NEC/9TH/2025 · National Executive Committee

9th National Executive Committee

Elected at the 9th National Elective Congress — July and August 2025. The 9th NEC represents students across all 26 public universities in the Republic of South Africa.

SAUS/PRESIDENT/9TH

Office of the President

President — 9th National Executive Committee

Siyabonga Moses Nkambako

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

President Nkambako leads the 9th NEC with a mandate to confront the suppression of student activism and advance transformative student governance across South African higher education institutions. Elected at the 9th National Elective Congress, he represents the aspirations of over one million students.

Elected 2025 UKZN 9th Congress

SAUS/NEC/FULL-LIST/2025

Principal Office Bearers

Mcntosh Khasembe

Deputy President

University of the Western Cape

Nhlonipho Nxumalo

Secretary General

University of the Witwatersrand

Jemina Mokoena

1st Deputy Secretary General

Central University of Technology

Martin Mnyaka

2nd Deputy Secretary General

University of the Free State

Nkosinathi Mabilane

Treasurer General

University of South Africa

NM

Nomfundo Mbatha

International Relations Officer

National Office

TM

Thato Masekoa

Spokesperson

National Office

OV

Olive Vilakazi

National Organiser

National Office

Source: SAUS 9th National Elective Congress — August 2025

SAUS/NEC/INSTITUTIONS/2025

Institutional Representation

Beyond the principal office bearers, the 9th National Executive Committee draws its mandate from Student Representative Councils (SRCs) across all 26 public universities in the Republic. Each institution's elected SRC leadership forms the broader structure to which the NEC is accountable.

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Full institutional representative listings are published as they are confirmed by each SRC. For institution-specific representation, contact the SAUS Secretariat.

SAUS/MEDIA/2025–2026 · Official Newsroom

Statements, Releases & Media

Official press releases, policy statements, congress communiqués, and media advisories from the South African Union of Students.

SAUS/MEDIA/RELEASES — Most Recent First

Official Releases

Featured Statement — August 2025

SAUS/STM/009/2025 — Congress Statement

Post-9th National Congress Statement: SAUS 9th NEC Elected

Following the successful conclusion of the 9th National Elective Congress in two stages — Nelson Mandela University (July 2025) and Boontjieskraal, Kimberley (August 2025) — SAUS announces the election of the 9th National Executive Committee under the theme: "Confronting the suppression of student activism and advancing transformative student governance."

Request Full Statement Request PDF

14

Jul '25

Urgent Statement

SAUS/STM/008/2025

SAUS Calls for Complete NSFAS Redesign — Students Cannot Wait

SAUS demands immediate intervention by the Department of Higher Education and Training to overhaul the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, citing chronic disbursement failures and a breakdown in student communication.

Request Full Statement →

Urgent

02

Jun '25

Policy Statement

SAUS/STM/007/2025

SAUS Categorically Opposes National Credit Act Amendments

SAUS rejects proposed amendments to the National Credit Act that would list outstanding student debt with credit bureaus, describing the proposal as a punitive measure that will irreparably harm an entire generation of graduates.

Request Full Statement →

Policy

19

May '25

Statement

SAUS/STM/006/2025

SAUS Mandates GBV Policy Review Across All 26 Universities

The NEC has been mandated to investigate whether all institutions have fit-for-purpose GBVF policies and to develop minimum standards for campus security conduct in handling gender-based violence cases.

Request Full Statement →

Official

03

Apr '25

Policy Statement

SAUS/STM/005/2025

SAUS Campaigns for Full Historical Student Debt Write-off

SAUS announces a formal campaign compelling government to clear all historical student debt, with priority given to deceased students and unemployed graduates.

Request Full Statement →

Campaign

SAUS/EVENTS/2026 · Engagements Calendar

Official Events & Engagements

National congresses, student leadership summits, policy town halls, and campus activations scheduled for the current term of office.

SAUS/EVT/UPCOMING/2026

Upcoming Engagements

Sep

15

National Student Leadership Summit 2026

University of Johannesburg09:00 – 17:00Open Registration

Annual gathering of SRC leaders from all 26 universities to align on national student priorities, share governance best practices, and engage directly with NEC leadership on the 2026 advocacy agenda.

Oct

02

NSFAS Reform Town Hall — KwaZulu-Natal Region

Durban University of Technology10:00 – 14:00KZN Region

Regional town hall enabling students to engage directly with SAUS leadership on the state of NSFAS reform, share testimonials, and contribute to the national advocacy submission.

Oct

16

GBV Awareness Month — National Campus Activation Tour

Campuses NationwideAll Day — Throughout OctoberOctober Campaign

SAUS activates across multiple campuses throughout October as part of the GBV Awareness Month campaign — distributing resources, gathering testimonials, and advancing institutional accountability on GBVF policy.

Nov

08

9th NEC Mid-Term Review & Policy Workshop

Pretoria, Gauteng08:00 – 18:00NEC Official

The 9th NEC mid-term review to assess progress on congress resolutions, review campaign outcomes, and develop the working paper on AI in higher education. Attendance restricted to NEC members and invitees.

SAUS/EVT/PAST/2025

Past Engagements

Aug

23

9th National Elective Congress — Day 2 (Completed)

Boontjieskraal, Kimberley, Northern CapeCompleted

Final session — 9th NEC elected and key resolutions adopted on NSFAS, student debt, GBV, and AI in education.

Jul

10

9th National Elective Congress — Day 1 (Completed)

Nelson Mandela University, Port ElizabethCompleted

Opening of the 9th Congress. Delegates from all 26 universities convened to debate the future of student governance in South Africa.

SAUS/MEDIA/GALLERY — Official Photo Archive

Official Photo Gallery

A visual record of SAUS engagements — congresses, campus activations, student leadership summits, and advocacy milestones.

SAUS/GAL/2025 — 9th National Congress

9th National Elective Congress

SAUS/GAL/ACTIVATIONS — Campus Programme

Campus Activations

SAUS/CONTACT/2026 · Secretariat

Contact the Secretariat

Direct correspondence for students, officials, media representatives, and institutional partners. All enquiries are acknowledged within two business days.

SAUS/ENQ/FORM/2026

Submit an Enquiry

Official Enquiry Form

First Name*

Surname*

Email Address*

Contact Number

Capacity*

Institution / Organisation*

Subject / Matter*

Detailed Enquiry*

I consent to SAUS processing my personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act 4 of 2013. My information will be used solely for the purpose of responding to this enquiry and will not be shared with third parties without consent.

All enquiries are acknowledged within 2 business days.

Empowering Student Voices. Advancing Higher Education.

What We Stand For

Mission

Vision

Equity & Justice

Unity & Solidarity

Priority Campaign Areas

NSFAS Reform

Historical Debt Relief

GBV on Campuses

Recent Statements & Releases

Upcoming Engagements

About the South African Union of Students

Institutional Profile

Mission & Vision

Mission Statement

Vision Statement

Core Values

Non-Racial

Non-Sexist

Democratic

Anti-Corruption

Progressive

Pan-Africanist

Historical Background

Continental Presence

Pan-African Solidarity

SADC Engagement

African Union Forums

Policy Campaigns & Resolutions

Active Campaign Resolutions

9th National Executive Committee

Office of the President

Siyabonga Moses Nkambako

Principal Office Bearers

Institutional Representation

Statements, Releases & Media

Official Releases

Featured Statement — August 2025

Post-9th National Congress Statement: SAUS 9th NEC Elected

Official Events & Engagements

Upcoming Engagements

Past Engagements

Official Photo Gallery

9th National Elective Congress

Campus Activations

Contact the Secretariat

Submit an Enquiry

Official Enquiry Form

Empowering Student Voices.
Advancing Higher Education.