Jewish students bring inclusivity to UCT ballot

As election season heats up at the University of Cape Town (UCT), two Jewish students are running for seats on the Student Representative Council (SRC), bringing a new layer of diversity to the race.

The SRC elections at UCT are a competitive process, with numerous candidates and campaigns contesting a range of positions. Voting began on 25 September and continued with all students being invited to participate. The elections provide a crucial opportunity for students to influence campus leadership, while allowing candidates to outline how they plan to represent their peers.

Rachel Segal, a Bachelor of Arts student in English and law, and Yael Kallman, a Bachelor of Science student in computer science and genetics, are running for the SRC on the “UCT for U” (unified campus team), a diverse group committed to unity, collaboration, and student-centred change.

The UCT for U campaign came together out of frustration with the lack of practical solutions to everyday student issues. Said Kallman, “A lot of students feel like the university administration is out of touch with their needs, so we wanted to create a movement that focuses on the basic things like clean bathrooms, fair financial systems, better academic support, and safe spaces for all students. We want UCT to be a place where students feel safe, heard, and respected.”

Kallman said she got involved because she saw an opportunity to enact change. “UCT for U isn’t a political party, it’s about collaboration and ensuring that every student has a seat at the table. It’s about pushing for a student-powered space where we can make meaningful change and ensure that all students, regardless of their background or identity, feel like they belong.”

Sasha Said, the national chairperson of the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS), said it was inspiring to see Jewish students running for the SRC because it shows “that our community isn’t only present at UCT, it’s actively shaping its future. It’s also significant in that it shows younger students that they have a place in leadership too.”

Segal, who is chairperson of the Western Cape wing of SAUJS, is running for the societies co-ordinator portfolio in the SRC. She said she wanted to run because she feels strongly about taking an active role in shaping and improving student life on campus. “In this role, I can achieve this on a greater scale through academic policies and social activities to ensure that minority voices are heard,” she said.

Kallman said she was running because she had experienced the frustration of feeling unheard and being disconnected from the decisions that impact the lives of students at UCT. UCT has immense potential, Kallman said, but there’s a lack of student-driven solutions to the problems students face daily like academic support, safe spaces, and accessibility. “I wanted to be part of a movement that listens to students, understands their needs, and makes tangible changes that improve student life for everyone,” she said.

Kallman said she believes in student-led change. “The SRC should be a platform for real, practical solutions and a space for students to collaborate, not just a political agenda. By running, I hope to help reshape how student leadership works at UCT – where student voices are central to the decisions being made and the focus is on student comfort.”

Both Kallman and Segal said being Jewish at UCT had its challenges as they have experienced antisemitism on campus. But Segal said it wasn’t an everyday challenge and didn’t discourage her from achieving her goals.

“I have had experiences where I’ve felt uncomfortable or unwelcome because of my identity. It’s not something we should accept, and that’s part of why I wanted to run for the SRC. We need to create an environment where all students, Jewish students included, feel safe and valued, and where no one feels like they have to hide who they are,” said Kallman, “There are other representations of minority groups in UCT for U, so we’re working to make this a priority. My goal is to make sure that students feel empowered and respected on campus, and I know I’m not alone in this.”

Segal said that she hoped to achieve a campus where diversity was celebrated and respected, “where all students, regardless of their gender, race or demographic, feel valued and encouraged to participate”.

Kallman said she hoped to create a space where students weren’t just heard but truly listened to. “I want to push for change that improves the daily experience for all students,” she said.

“By voting, UCT students ensure that their voices are heard and that the SRC genuinely reflects the diversity and priorities of a wider student body. At its heart, student leadership is about shaping the future,” Said explained. “When students cast their votes, they aren’t just choosing their representatives, they are also affirming the values of democracy, inclusivity, and the hope for a better tomorrow. That’s the power of the ballot. It reminds us that every voice matters, and together, we can create meaningful change.”