20/09/2026
📢 THE STUDENTS MANIFESTO | VOTE PASMA 21-22 SEPT 2026 | SRC ELECTIONS💚💚💚
PASMA Students Manifesto, a programme of action grounded in the realities, needs and aspirations of students.
50 commitments. One programme of action.
1. STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
Expand access to safe, affordable and dignified student accommodation, with transparent allocation and stronger support for financially vulnerable students.
2. RESERVED ACCOMMODATION FOR UNFUNDED STUDENTS
Advocate for a dedicated portion of residence spaces for qualifying unfunded students who are otherwise unable to secure accommodation.
3. RESIDENCE GOVERNANCE & STUDENT LIVING
Improve residence maintenance, safety, electricity, water, study facilities and student participation in residence governance.
4. OPPIDANI COUNCIL
Strengthen and empower the Oppidani Council as the leadership representation of students residing off-campus, ensuring that their concerns are actively represented and advocated for before the SRC and university management.
5. OFF-CAMPUS ACCOMMODATION ACCREDITATION
Demand rigorous enforcement of off-campus accommodation standards, ensuring that no residence is accredited unless it meets the required health, safety, infrastructure and living standards.
6. NSFAS, FINANCIAL AID & STUDENT DEBT
Fight for timely financial aid, effective appeals, bursary access and measures that prevent students from being financially excluded from their studies.
7. GRADUATE STUDENT-DEBT WRITE-OFF
Advocate for a comprehensive programme to relieve qualifying outstanding university debt of graduates and enable completed graduates to obtain their certificates and academic records.
8. NSFAS FOOD ALLOWANCE
Advocate for an NSFAS food allowance of R2,000 per month to strengthen student food security.
9. NATIONAL STUDENT COST-OF-LIVING INDEX
Advocate for a national mechanism that regularly assesses the actual cost of studying and living and informs appropriate student allowances.
10. MISSING-MIDDLE STUDENTS
Advocate for a sustainable funding model for students who fall outside NSFAS eligibility but cannot afford the full cost of higher education.
11. CONCESSION CRITERIA
Push for concession criteria that better reflect the realities of disadvantaged students and maximise opportunities for students to remain enrolled and complete their qualifications.
12. ACCESS TO EDUCATION & REGISTRATION
Fight for efficient, transparent and student-centred admissions, registration and enrolment processes.
13. ACADEMIC EXCLUSION & STUDENT PROGRESSION
Advocate for early academic support, transparent appeals and meaningful intervention before students are excluded from their studies.
14. ACADEMIC SUPPORT & STUDENT SUCCESS
Expand tutoring, mentorship, peer learning, academic advising and access to learning resources.
15. FAIR EXAMINATION TIMETABLES
Advocate for examination timetables that, where reasonably possible, avoid placing two major or heavyweight examinations on the same day.
16. SHUTTLE SERVICES FOR ALL REGISTERED STUDENTS
Fight for every registered student, regardless of funding status, to have access to university shuttle services.
17. SHUTTLE SHELTERS
Advocate for properly constructed and maintained shelters at shuttle stops to protect students from rain, wind and extreme heat.
18. STUDENT FOOD SECURITY
Fight for affordable, nutritious and accessible food, transparent cafeteria pricing and emergency food support for students facing food insecurity.
19. STUDENT BREAD & COFFEE STATIONS
Advocate for university-supported bread and coffee stations across campuses to provide students with basic nourishment during the academic day.
20. MENSTRUAL DIGNITY
Ensure access to sanitary pads at strategic campus points, clinics and student residences.
21. STUDENT HEALTHCARE
Advocate for accessible, student-friendly campus clinics and ensure that urgent cases receive appropriate assistance at the nearest suitable university clinic.
22. STUDENT MEDICAL SUPPORT
Advocate for a Student Medical Aid Scheme or equivalent mechanism to improve access to healthcare for students.
23. MENTAL HEALTH & EMTHONJENI
Fight for expanded Emthonjeni capacity, including more qualified psychologists and other mental-health professionals, shorter waiting periods and stronger crisis support.
24. HOLISTIC STUDENT WELLNESS
Promote culturally sensitive and spiritually responsive wellness support that complements, rather than replaces, professional healthcare.
25. CAMPUS LIGHTING
Ensure that frequently used pathways and student areas are adequately lit, with broken lights repaired and lighting gaps addressed.
26. CAMPUS SAFETY & PROTECTION SERVICES
Advocate for visible Protection Services patrols and regular monitoring of identified campus safety hotspots.
27. GBVF & SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Strengthen prevention, reporting mechanisms, survivor support and institutional accountability in cases of gender-based violence and sexual harassment.
28. SAFE STUDENT SOCIAL & RECREATIONAL PRECINCT
Advocate for a properly regulated student social and recreational space on suitable university land, away from residences, lecture halls and offices, with opportunities for student employment and entrepreneurship.
29. STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES
Fight for accessible infrastructure, services and learning environments, including the PASMA Electric Wheelchair Initiative.
30. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Advocate for improved administrative, accommodation, financial and social support for international students and oppose discrimination and xenophobia.
31. CULTURAL RECOGNITION & EQUALITY
Advocate for equitable institutional recognition of African cultural, traditional and spiritual observances alongside other recognised cultural and religious observances.
32. AFRICAN CULTURAL & SPIRITUAL LIFE
Support African cultural societies, indigenous knowledge, cultural practices and African spiritual traditions within a lawful, inclusive and respectful university environment.
33. STUDENT ACADEMIC JUSTICE
Establish a confidential mechanism through which students can report alleged academic injustice, unfair treatment, discrimination, victimisation and related concerns.
34. ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY & DUE PROCESS
Demand that credible complaints are appropriately screened, investigated, referred and followed up while protecting confidentiality and due process for all parties.
35. RACIAL JUSTICE
Challenge racism and discriminatory practices within the university through appropriate reporting, investigation and accountability mechanisms.
36. POSTGRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT
Fight for improved postgraduate funding, research resources, study spaces, administrative support, mentorship and representation.
37. STUDENT SUPPORT WHATSAPP SERVICE
Advocate for a university-wide Student Support WhatsApp Service providing verified information, student assistance, reporting and referral, including a responsibly designed AI component.
38. STUDENT REPORTING & RAPID RESPONSE
Advocate for accessible digital reporting mechanisms through which student concerns can be routed, escalated, tracked and responded to efficiently.
39. BUSINESS–STUDENT PARTNERSHIP
Build a structured working relationship between the SRC and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber to connect students with opportunities and resources from the city’s business community.
40. BUSINESS CONTRIBUTION TO STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
Advocate for businesses to contribute to student development through bursaries, food support, internships, work-integrated learning, mentorship, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
41. TRANSFORMATION & DECOLONISATION
Advance African-centred scholarship, indigenous knowledge, African languages and meaningful transformation within higher education.
42. GENDER EQUALITY, INCLUSION & DIGNITY
Promote equality, dignity, inclusion and safe learning environments for all students.
43. STUDENT DEMOCRACY & STUDENT PARLIAMENT
Advocate for Student Parliament to convene at least twice a year as a platform for accountability, debate and student participation.
44. REGULAR SRC MASS MEETINGS
Hold regular student mass meetings, monthly or quarterly according to the academic calendar, where the SRC provides reports and receives direct student feedback.
45. STUDENT LEADERSHIP & EMPOWERMENT
Expand opportunities for student leadership, societies, entrepreneurship, innovation and practical skills development.
46. SPORT FOR ALL
Advocate for fair access to sporting facilities, resources and opportunities for competitive and recreational participation.
47. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Promote responsible waste management, recycling, water conservation, energy efficiency and student participation in environmental initiatives.
48. RESIDENCE ENERGY SECURITY
Advocate for every student residence to have adequate backup electricity capacity, including generators or suitable alternative systems.
49. OFF-CAMPUS EMERGENCY KITCHENS
Advocate for mobile kitchen units or equivalent emergency food facilities during prolonged power outages at off-campus residences without adequate backup electricity.
50. STUDENT-CENTRED GOVERNANCE
Build an SRC that is accessible, transparent, accountable and responsive, with students at the centre of university governance.
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THE CHOICE BEFORE STUDENTS
We ask you to place your confidence in a movement that believes student leadership must be about service before status, action before applause, and accountability before privilege.
We are PASMA.
We are ready to serve.
We are ready to organise.
We are ready to fight.
And champion students interests.
One student. One PASMA vote. One vision. ✋🏾💚💚💚💚
