Cape Town - Hendrik Verwoerd’s grandson, Wilhelm, joined Stellenbosch students, staff and members of the Open Stellenbosch movement as a plaque honouring his grandfather was removed from the university on Wednesday.
The decision to remove the plaque, from the university’s Accounting and Statistics building, formerly known as the HF Verwoerd Building, was taken earlier this month after students affiliated to the Open Stellenbosch movement called for transformation at the university.
The university’s vice-chancellor and rector, Professor Wim de Villiers, said the plaque would be provisionally kept in the university’s archives.
“This gives us the opportunity to talk about symbols on campus, as an institution of learning and critical debate rightly should.”
De Villiers said the removal of the plaque was the institution’s attempt to show that they were serious about inclusivity.
“Let us talk the talk and walk the walk on a path of inclusivity together so that we can build the future that we want for our university.”
The plaque was removed and temporarily replaced by a poster of the South African flag where members of the university and those in attendance on Wednesday night had the opportunity to add their names to the declaration.
De Villiers said the road to transformation was not an easy one, but encouraged debates to continue.
“It is important to keep talking to each other. Let us work together to put together the building blocks for a better future for our university.”
The Open Stellenbosch movement said, in a Facebook post, that they supported the move made by the university.
“At the same time we call for the management to respond to the demands for transformation at the university (particularly with respect to the language of instruction) we handed to the Vice Chancellor Wim de Villiers two weeks ago.”
UCT’s Rhodes Must Fall spokesman, Ramabina Mahapa, said they were not able to be at the event, due to exams, but they supported the students at Stellenbosch.
“We want to see transformation in the whole (university) sector and when the opportunity arises we will support them.”
In a comment on the university’s website, Sean Sylvia commended the university on the way they handled the matter.
“This is something to appreciate and look up to in terms of future renewal projects at other South African universities. No need for protests here.”
Sylvia also thanked Stellenbosch University for creating a more inclusive campus and atmosphere.
Cape Argus