Lisa Isaacs
“THE spotlight is on Stellenbosch University, and we have a choice to unify campus and ensure that we further accelerate the current process of transformation.”
This is one of the main priorities Stellenbosch University will have to tackle going forward, newly elected SRC chairperson Axolile Qina said.
Qina, who is studying a Master’s degree in Theology, was announced as the first black SRC leader in the university’s history last Friday.
He has served on the house committee of the Helderberg men’s residence for the last three years, this year as head student.
“We have a choice to ensure that we further accelerate the current process of transformation for the benefit of future Stellenbosch University students.
“What’s needed is better utilisation of the student leadership structure and having a shared accountability to reaching this plight,” he said.
With the university at the centre of a controversial hard-hitting film titled Luister, a 35-minute documentary which includes the stories of 32 students who share their experiences of what the group has described as “a culture of racism and violence” at the university, Qina said that as the newly elected SRC chairperson, he acknowledges the vivid experiences of the students as detailed in the video.
“We, as the incoming SRC, are acting on the issue, but we will only be able to constitutionally take a stance when we assume office on September 14,” he said.
Addressing the university’s language policy, the SRC was looking to utilise academic committees to further hold deans and lecturers accountable so students can reach academic success, he said.
Stellenbosch rector and vice-chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers congratulated Qina.
“The university finds itself in turbulent times, and it is now more than ever that we need visionary leadership. I look forward to working with Axolile and the SRC to take the university forward and make it a place everyone can be proud of.
“We have a deep appreciation for the hard work that the SRC has put in over the last few months to not only advise, but also to challenge management on issues that are important to students. This includes fruitful discussions on transformation,” De Villiers said.
Also on Friday, the Senate of Stellenbosch University, one of its statutory bodies, adopted a motion expressing concern about the many reports of racism and racist incidents, as well as sexual harassment, that still occur on the campus and in town.
It also acknowledged the complexity of the relationship between the university’s language policy and transformation, and the members stated that they believed oversimplified solutions are inappropriate.
The Senate also expressed support for the manner in which university management conducted transformation discussions, as well as for the new initiatives which have been announced and implemented.