A white UCT student, who is running as a candidate for the EFF in the upcoming Student Representative Council (SRC) elections, says she has been labelled as a “race traitor”.
Jesse Griesel, 19, who is in her second year at the university, said she was met with negative reactions when she announced her plans to run as an SRC candidate under the EFF for the 2021/22 term on social media, writes Cape Times.
“The comments were expected from white people,” she said.
“White people want to talk about the EFF dividing South Africans and causing racial tension yet EFF members have embraced me and I have been labelled a ‘race traitor’ by white people.
“Everyone can do the maths themselves but it looks to me like the only ones continually dividing South Africa are those averse to change and progress.”
Voting for UCT SRC candidates is expected to open on Monday.
Jesse, who aims to ensure all students’ identities are at the forefront of any decision-making process if elected, said she will not let the negative comments deter her.
“I’m very aware that I would get this reaction from white people.
“They are so worried that a white person could possibly see themselves as an ally to black liberation.”
Jesse says she’s been serving students through the EFFSC since May, adding: “Right now I don’t have much institutional power to help students. SRC would serve as that platform.”
Cape Times