Staff Writer
STELLENBOSCH University rector and vice-chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers found the 34-minute Luister video posted on YouTube by Open Stellenbosch (OS) – about their experiences of alleged racism at the university – “extremely uncomfortable to watch”.
De Villiers said this during an address to students at the Academia Residence after the conclusion of “election season” on campus.
De Villiers said that although the video contained some flaws, it raised very important issues.
“I don’t enjoy knowing that some of my students on campus have negative experiences,” he said.
“I am not going to defend the indefensible: racism, discrimination, human rights violations, exclusion and marginalisation. This is wrong, end of story.
“Except, whatever’s wrong must be fixed, and we are attempting to do that. Stellenbosch University has been in a process of transformation for a long time, but we have not done enough yet.”
He said that he would, however, not tolerate disruption, hate speech, violence and destruction of property.
Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education and training condemned the latest allegations, and deemed what the students have allegedly been subjected to unacceptable in a democratic South Africa.
Committee chairperson Yvonne Phosa said yesterday that the allegations of racism and violence, which were revealed in the Luister video, were a cause for concern and that the committee took the issue very seriously.
“While the university management has indicated that the students’ concerns were receiving attention, the committee has called it to an urgent meeting to hear what transformation plans it has in place,” said Phosa.
The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande has also been invited.