The University of Pretoria’s (UP) new Student Representative Council (SRC) President, Vhutshilo Muambadzi, says she aims to create a student community where every student feels heard, supported and empowered to reach their full potential. 

“I believe in strengthening student representation, improving student welfare and fostering an inclusive environment where students, regardless of their background or circumstances, have the resources and opportunities to thrive,” Muambadzi, who was elected in September 2024, said in an interview soon after the 2025 academic year began in February.

“I believe in leading with transparency and accountability, ensuring that student governance is both accessible and impactful. I aim to implement practical, student-focused solutions that address real issues such as financial aid, accommodation and academic support.” 

Leadership journey

Muambadzi (who is also affectionately known as ‘Chichi’ among her friends and colleagues) was born and raised in Johannesburg, and has long been passionate about leadership and service to her community. After being named Deputy Head Girl at Brackenhurst Primary School, she became Head Girl at Parktown High School for Girls. She says these early experiences shaped her understanding of responsibility, advocacy and the significance of representation.

Soon after starting her studies at UP she served as Head of Sports for the House Committee of Erica Ladies Residence, before becoming Erica’s House Committee Chairperson. She has also represented UP’s student body on the Council, the University’s highest decision-making body, after being elected to the SRC and managing its Residences portfolio.

“These roles allowed me to connect with students on a deeper level, working towards improving their university experience,” she said, before outlining some of the challenges she’s faced as a student leader. “These include limited financial resources to assist all students in need of financial aid. Every year, hundreds of students face financial exclusion, and while the SRC Financial Aid Fund provides relief, the demand far exceeds the available resources. To navigate this, as a team, we have engaged with the University executive to advocate for increased financial aid allocations. We have also collaborated with external stakeholders to secure additional funding opportunities and encouraged students to explore multiple funding avenues, including bursaries and scholarships.”

Becoming SRC President

Muambadzi says running for the SRC presidency was a natural progression, fuelled by her passion for leadership. “I firmly believe that every student deserves to be heard and represented fairly.”

Her election campaign slogan, #LetMeHearYou, was built on her belief in the power of listening and ensuring unbiased representation. “Becoming SRC President has allowed me to turn these values into meaningful initiatives which help us ensure that, as SRC members, we continuously work towards solutions,” she said. 

One of the key phrases she uses for inspiration is ‘Lift as you rise’. “To me, this is more than a mantra. It’s more like a mindset that emphasises community, shared success and helping others grow alongside you,” she explained. 

She encourages other students to also embody this mindset by understanding that helping others does not take away from your own achievements. “This is because there is room for everyone to succeed, and true leadership means opening doors for others, not just walking through them alone. This overlaps a lot with the University of Pretoria’s values of Action, Collaboration, Excellence, and Diversity (ACED).” 

Muambadzi’s departing words described the legacy she hopes to leave at UP: “I want students to remember my leadership as one that was rooted in service, empowerment and unity. That I was not just a leader who occupied a position, but one who actively worked to create opportunities, mend relationships, and strengthen student representation so that every student – regardless of their background – knew they had a voice and a place at this university. If there’s one thing I want to leave behind, it’s the belief that our greatest limitation is our mindset; that anything you set your mind to is achievable.”