Stellenbosch students have a Jewish representative

For the first time in about 25 years, a Jewish student is on the Student Representative Council (SRC) at Stellenbosch University. 

Ethan Epstein-Kay, a third-year law student from East London, was voted onto the SRC on 31 July. He represents not only the Jews on campus, but all students who feel like they have no voice. 

Epstein-Kay was one of the founders of the South African Union of Jewish Students branch at the historically Afrikaans university. He saw a need for student leadership, and it was a natural progression to wanting to run for the SRC. 

His campaign started when he had to get 200 signatures to endorse his nomination. 

“That’s where it sort of crystallised how important my running for the SRC was,” he said. “In fact, most students couldn’t even name a single person who sits on the SRC, which means that they can’t question them or ask them anything. For the first two years of my university career I didn’t know that there was an SRC office in Stellenbosch. Neither do most students. And I think that if you have such an important institution, you need it to be able to help.” 

The elections in late July coincided with the first week of the semester, fondly called Golden Week. 

“It was quite challenging in terms of getting voters and voter turnout, but it was the first week of term, and it ran from Monday until the next Monday, and every day there was a caucus as well,” he said. 

Epstein-Kay found out he had been elected that Friday. “I was shocked because although I poured my heart into the campaign and spoke to as many people as possible, I wasn’t sure it would pay off. That said, many students at Stellenbosch don’t really care to vote, which is another fundamental issue. I think that stems from the lack of trust in the SRC as a body,” he said. 

Being the first Jewish SRC member in such a long time isn’t something he takes lightly. 

“There’s a Jewish voice on the SRC, which I think is important, and it’s twofold. I’m able to represent Jewish students and their interests. But beyond that, I’m able to bring a different perspective to the table, a different idea of how things can work. That’s the beauty of the SRC this year, it’s many different people from diverse backgrounds, and that’s where you find strength as a team.” 

Over the next year, Epstein-Kay plans to ensure students on campus know who is representing them. Beyond that, he intends to propose a religious observance policy, under which students would have the option, when they register at the start of the year, to indicate any religious observance requirements they have. 

“Before assessment dates are finalised, it would make it far easier for the Registrar to move assessments that fall on a religious holiday. And not only for Jewish students. For the whole university. Muslim students, Hindu students, and every other minority faith on this campus,” he said. 

The issue extends beyond assessments. “If a student has to miss a lecture to observe Yom Kippur, they currently have to approach each lecturer individually and ask for it to be recorded. That puts the burden on the student rather than on the system, and the outcome depends on who you happen to ask. A clear policy removes that. It takes an unequal burden off religious minorities and makes the answer consistent.”