Ask 10 difficult questions based on the manifesto below
Greetings to Miss Evodia and the house at large.
For RC First Years and Mentorship
My name is Magaba Sisonke, and I am a first-year B Agric student
majoring in management. I possess a strong belief in my ability to
guide first-year students through their significant transition from
high school to university life. My proactive mindset, warm heart,
welcoming nature, patience, and strategic thinking make me
well-suited to connect with new people. I excel in
communication across different age groups and am eager to
further develop this skill.
My previous and current leadership roles within House Kestell
have prepared me well for the RC First Year & Mentorship position. Not only within the house,
but also during my gap year (2022), I have been working with Imbeleko Foundation, which deals
with tutoring and guiding Highschool learners, matriculants to be more specific, for them to
have a smooth transition from high school to University. I successfully worked with the learners
and their parents for the year and got to know how they want things to be done, and I did an
excellent job, therefore, I was awarded for that. I have served the house for 2023 as part of the
Academics subcommittee, participated in Sports under the Sports and Wellness
Subcommittee, and now I am currently serving as Vice Head mentor, still part of the Academics
Subcommittee as well as Sports and wellness Subcommittee. My involvement in organizing
study groups and social activities has given me experience in supporting students both
academically and socially.
I am deeply impressed by the outstanding work of the 2023 and 2024 RC first years, hence I was
inspired. My vision and mission for House Kestell and the upcoming first years is not to
demolish but to build and make a few changes on top of what they have done to ensure a great
year for everyone. I am planning on implementing a new strategy for the Peer Mentorship
Program in which I plan to work with the Vice Prime, continue to put in more effective work on
Welcome Workshops for the first years to bond and get to know each other by informing the first
years on what is about to happen, pick up from where we left off on the interactive Social Events
which will not only benefit the first years but also the house to make our house more popular,
additionally, I am also aiming to establish regular check-ins on specific days and feedback
mechanisms to ensure that the needs of first-year students are being met effectively and that
adjustments can be made based on their input, this could also be anonymous. The house can trust me to lead the First Year Mentorship program because of my demonstrated
commitment to student well-being and success. My active involvement in the house with my
experience in leadership and mentorship role included marks my abilities to fully support the
incoming first years. My dedication to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for
first-year students reflects my commitment to upholding the values and mission of House
Kestell. By building on my previous and current experiences and actively engaging with the
needs of new residents, I aim to earn and maintain the trust of the house as we work together to
enhance the first-years' experience.
For Vice Prime and Discipline
In pursuing the role of Vice Prime and Discipline, I am committed to fairness and transparency,
which are the essential quality skills for managing the disciplinary process impartially. I
possess excellent communication skills, which enable me to clearly articulate expectations,
resolve conflicts, and provide support to the house at large. My empathetic nature allows me to
understand and address individual concerns, fostering a respectful system for the house. My
current experience in leadership has prepared me well enough to be able to identify and resolve
issues before they could escalate further to paying fines. I have mentioned that I am currently
vice head mentor of the house and I am also vice chairperson under the Academics
subcommittee. My involvement in these roles has given me a deep understanding of the
house’s dynamics and the challenges we face, as well as experience in working collaboratively
with both the seniors and current first years. I am planning to build on enforcing the rules
amongst everyone equally and fair.
My goal in resolving conflict is always to be fair and impartial, meaning, my role is to hear both
sides of the story before I take any further steps in disciplining a house member. Most of the
time, I will be working closely with the Prime to ensure that everyone in the house including the
upcoming RC team will be held accountable for breaking the house rules. We’re all in this
together, and fairness is key. Please rest assured that no one will face a fine or penalty without
going through the proper process. I’ll make sure we revisit the rules with everyone involved both
the person affected and the one who may have broken the rules—to make everything clear and
transparent, and that is how I am planning to shape the discipline structure. By revisiting and
clarifying our code of conduct, I aim to ensure that all residents understand and uphold our
shared values, leading to a more harmonious living environment. I have a proven track record of engaging with house members and addressing issues
constructively. My approach is to involve everyone in the process, ensuring that disciplinary
actions are fair and justified. I am dedicated to working alongside the Prime to support our
house’s vision and to be a reliable point of contact when the Prime is unavailable. I am eager to
contribute to the continued success and positive atmosphere of House Kestell.
With my genuine enthusiasm for helping others, hands-on experience in supporting students,
and fresh ideas for enhancing our mentorship program, I’m excited to take on the role of RC
First Year Mentorship and the role of Vice Prime and Discipline. My commitment to ensuring
every new resident feels welcomed and supported comes from a real passion for building a
strong, connected community. I look forward to working closely with both new and returning
residents to create an inclusive and vibrant environment for everyone.
1 answer
Here are ten difficult questions based on the manifesto:
Balancing Roles: Given your current roles as Vice Head Mentor and Vice Chairperson under the Academics Subcommittee, how do you plan on balancing the responsibilities of the RC First Year and Mentorship position along with your Vice Prime and Discipline role without compromising on effectiveness or accountability?
Conflict Resolution: In situations where two conflicting parties do not agree on the resolution you propose, how would you ensure that both parties continue to feel heard and valued, while also maintaining the integrity of house rules?
Measuring Success: What specific metrics will you use to evaluate the effectiveness of your proposed strategies for the Peer Mentorship Program and other initiatives? How will you adapt your strategies based on the results?
Handling Resistance: How do you plan to address potential resistance from existing house members who may be attached to previous systems or who may disagree with your changes to the mentorship program or disciplinary processes?
Feedback Mechanisms: While you've mentioned the implementation of regular check-ins and feedback mechanisms, how will you ensure that the feedback collected is acted upon, and what will you do if the feedback suggests significant changes to your original plans?
Crisis Management: Can you provide an example of a time when you encountered a significant issue or crisis in a leadership role? What steps did you take to address the situation, and what did you learn from that experience?
Inclusivity in Workshops: How do you plan to ensure that your Welcome Workshops are genuinely inclusive and cater to the diverse backgrounds and varying levels of university readiness among incoming first-year students?
Ensuring Fairness: You emphasize fairness and transparency in managing disciplinary processes. How will you ensure a consistent application of rules, considering that each situation may involve different circumstances and dynamics?
Student Interaction: In your manifesto, you mention the importance of engaging with students’ needs, but how will you proactively seek out engagement from those who are less likely to speak up or those who may feel marginalized within the house environment?
Long-term Vision: What is your long-term vision for House Kestell beyond the current academic year? How do you plan to leave a lasting impact that extends beyond your immediate role and tenure?
