Long before she became a member of Stellenbosch University (SU) Council, chaired the Academic Affairs Council or served as Chief Justice of the Student Court, Risuna Risimati was simply a young girl growing up in Johannesburg trying to understand herself and the world around her. 

She moved between her parents’ homes during weekends and school holidays, carrying with her the influence of a mother she still describes as the most important figure in her life. “From the time I was five years old, frolicking about her office in my pink tutu after ballet practice, to the day I announced that I was off to Stellenbosch University, my mum Tshilidzi Silinda taught me the importance of being myself – fiercely and unapologetically,” says Risimati. 

It is a philosophy that still shapes the way she moves through the world today: outspoken, principled and unwilling to shrink herself to make others comfortable. 

Now completing her Master of Laws degree at SU, Risimati has built a formidable leadership record during her years on campus. Her CV reads like a map of the institution’s governance structures. She has served in Student Parliament, the Juridical Society, the Academic Affairs Council, the Students’ Representative Council, Council committees and, more recently, as Chief Justice of the Student Court. Along the way, she also received the University’s prestigious Rector’s Award for Excellence in Leadership. 

Yet the polished public image conceals a reserved side that many do not expect. “People would be most surprised to learn that I am quite introverted and that public speaking makes me a little bit anxious,” she admits.  

Away from meetings, legal arguments and governance debates, she finds comfort in solitude: reading in cosy cafés, taking walks around Coetzenberg and running through the quiet streets of Mostertsdrift. “When I leave my phone behind and switch off from the rest of the world, that’s when I feel most rejuvenated and recharged.” 

Leadership in difficult moments 

Risimati’s years in student leadership coincided with some of the most difficult and emotionally charged periods facing universities across South Africa. One of the hardest came during the accommodation crisis and student debt challenges at the beginning of the 2024 academic year while she served on the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Executive Committee. 

“We represented a barrage of students without housing or the ability to register for the new year,” she says. “That time was rife with uncertainty and anxiety.” 

The pressure of helping carry student concerns while navigating institutional systems often became emotionally exhausting. Another particularly demanding moment came while working on the Anderson v SEC judgement as part of the Student Court, where she and her colleagues had to weigh constitutional questions that could affect the composition of the SRC itself. “The pressure of writing the judgement was overwhelming,” she recalls. 

Still, she learned an important lesson through those experiences: Leadership does not require perfection or emotional invulnerability. “I was reminded of the value of being human, of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted but also in pushing through and being the voice that so many didn’t have.” 

Throughout those moments, support structures at SU became essential. Risimati speaks warmly about the role played by Student Governance staff members as well as senior institutional leaders who continued to guide student leaders through difficult periods. She specifically acknowledges the support of members of Rectorate, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, the Registrar and the Dean of Students, for responding to late-night emails and helping student leaders navigate moments of uncertainty. 

She also credits the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) for helping her navigate anxiety and overwhelm during particularly demanding periods. “The support structures were incredibly useful in times when I needed help,” she says. 

Carrying the legacy forward 

As South Africa commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising this Youth Month, Risimati believes young people still carry the responsibility to shape the country’s future through active participation and advocacy. “Young people are not just the future of South Africa,” she says. “Their voice has the power to change what tomorrow looks like.” 

For her, meaningful leadership begins in communities, universities and conversations where people advocate for those who are most vulnerable. Importantly, she believes voting and civic participation remain central to ensuring equal opportunity and meaningful support for all South Africans. 

This Youth Day, she plans to spend time with her mother over breakfast – a quiet but deeply symbolic moment. She says her mother often reminds her of what life looked like under apartheid and of the sacrifices that gave young South Africans opportunities previous generations were denied. 

“Being able to choose a career path that I was passionate about and studying that in university without feeling undeserving or that I did not belong is a privilege that many fought and died for.” 

That awareness continues to shape the way she approaches leadership and service. 

For students arriving at SU feeling intimidated or uncertain of where they belong, Risimati’s message is straightforward: there is space for everyone. “As unfamiliar and daunting as it may seem, there are always people and communities ready to accept you with open arms,” she says. “Be it Student Parliament, the SRC or societies geared towards niche interests, there are numerous channels to funnel your young energy and potential. Even if you struggle to find a community, belonging, or your sense of self in Stellenbosch, there’s an abundance of support services available to pick you up when need it most.”