Our
Story
Our History
The South African Students Congress (SASCO) was formed in September 1991 when over 600 delegates from different universities and student formations united to form one organization with the vision of a student-focused movement. This was a reaction to the marginalization of Black students and the injustices they faced.
SASCO traces its rich history from SASO which was a revolutionary organization of Black Consciousness ideology. An organization led by the likes of the struggle icon Steve Biko. It is the biggest student movement in Africa and it strives for the transformation of not only institutions of higher learning but the whole system in order to achieve a non-sexist, non-racial and democratic education system. SASCO continues to exist to this day across African universities, upholding the same mission and visions as those it had when established.
Get to Know Us
The SASCO Medical School Branch has historically been at the forefront in tirelessly tackling the issues of students for over 20 years. We have programmes in place to ensure that we make the duration of our degrees as comfortable as possible for all our medics. Our plan of action for each year involves various programmes such as the Right to learn campaign, standing against GBV campaigns, adopt a school, sanitary pads drive, clothes drive etc, taking place throughout the year.
Our first objective is to provide a smooth transition for our first-entry students through our first programme of the year, the RIGHT TO LEARN CAMPAIGN.
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Our activists assist students from the moment they enter Medical School and throughout their journey. Many can attest that SASCO is indeed their first friend on campus. It is our mission to ensure the safety of all our degrees by deploying good leaders and bridging gaps that exist between marginalised students and those who are privileged.
FAQ
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We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of common questions and answers about our Political Club. Browse the section, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
WHAT DOES SASCO DO?
We are a student movement that aims to create programs that are informative, entertaining, and fun.
We educate and engage with students on political matters affecting our campus.
We help students through various campaigns such as the Right to Learn Campaign.
We deploy our comrades into strategic positions (class representatives, house committees, residence representatives, the SRC etc) to further help students.
We collaborate with other clubs and societies on matters which are important to us.
HOW DOES SASCO HELP STUDENTS?
Our first objective is to provide a smooth transition for our first-entry students through our first program of the year, the RIGHT TO LEARN CAMPAIGN. This campaign is where SASCO activists are on the ground at the beginning of the year assisting the MCRC. Our activists help students with registration, help to direct them to their residences, and connect them with the relevant people they might need throughout their med-school journey. Our activists assist students from the moment they enter Medical School and throughout their journey. Many can attest that SASCO is indeed their first friend on campus.
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We run various campaigns throughout the year such as our annual pad drive and clothing drives to assist less fortunate students.
DOES ONE NEED TO BE A SASCO MEMBER TO JOIN SASCO ACTIVITIES?
All are welcome to join and participate in SASCO events and campaigns.
HOW DOES ONE BECOME A STUDENT ACTIVIST?
An activist is anyone that sees an issue in their environment and tries to do something to solve it.
As a student movement, SASCO is committed to providing solutions to the problems that students face.
In order to be a student activist, you only need to care about student issues and commit to solving those issues.
HOW DO I JOIN SASCO?
