On returning from the meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training in Parliament the Stellenbosch University (SU) management Tuesday afternoon extended an open invitation to the Open Stellenbosch movement to engage in discussions on transformation at the University.
“We are listening, we are talking. We are committed to open discussion and will continue doing so,” said Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU. Management also said that it would carry on with efforts to engage with all stakeholders, including groupings that may be critical of the University. “We urge Open Stellenbosch to enter into constructive discussions with us, from setting the agenda to the terms of engagement.”
This open invitation follows earlier attempts to include Open Stellenbosch in on-going campus discussions with the wider student community. On 13 August 2015 management met with various student groups to discuss the points that were raised in their submissions to management on transformation and language implementation.
Stellenbosch University was invited to a meeting of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training on Tuesday morning. Management said that it was a constructive session, resulting in many useful inputs that will help the University address important issues.
The special meeting was called by the Committee to discuss transformation and the language issue at SU in the wake of the Luister video recently released on social media, which highlighted students’ experiences of racism and discrimination.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Ms Yvonne Phosa, thanked SU for participating in the meeting, and added: “I commend the University for not denying the lived experiences of students exposed to racism.”
She urged the University and Open Stellenbosch to engage in dialogue. “There is no insurmountable problem. All that is required is a willingness to find solutions.”
“We appreciate the opportunity that we were afforded to engage with the Portfolio Committee and extend an invitation to Open Stellenbosch in response to Ms Phosa’s encouragement to find solutions,” Prof Wim de Villiers said. “We do not have all the answers. In the spirit of mutual responsibility and co-ownership, all stakeholders have to contribute to solutions.” He also added that SU should avoid the danger of polarisation. It causes serious problems for any democracy and the demonisation of institutions or individuals makes compromise more difficult.
In its submission, SU Management unequivocally condemned racism – whether overtly or covertly – at the University. It said that it was acting against racism and other forms of discrimination and marginalisation through disciplinary action and initiatives to promote diversity and integration on campus. (Click here to download a PDF of Prof De Villiers' presentation to the Portfolio Commitee.)
The meeting was also addressed by Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training.
“Everybody must fight the scourge of racism, sexism and discrimination everywhere,” he said.
“SU is a highly respected university globally, but the things highlighted now could tarnish its reputation. We will support you on your journey of transformation, but it must be accelerated.”
Prof De Villiers said the University would “continue on our journey of transformation – we are imperfect, we are incomplete, but we are steadfast in our resolve.”
The other stakeholders who made submissions to the Portfolio Committee were the SU Council, Institutional Forum and Students’ Representative Council (SRC).
Protest action on campus
While members of University management attended the meeting of the Portfolio Committee in Parliament, Open Stellenbosch hosted a protest march on the Stellenbosch University campus.
The Stellenbosch Municipality Monday informed the University that it had denied permission for the protest action as the requirements in accordance of the Gatherings Act had not been met by the organisers. The march would have started on the Rooiplein and followed a route through the town centre, but when permission was denied, it was decided to limit the march to the campus area.
According to the Gatherings Act such events still require the approval of the local authority even if it is planned for the campus environment. Stellenbosch University did not receive an application from Open Stellenbosch.
An estimated 250 students arrived on campus in three buses from other Western Cape tertiary institutions just before 12:30 and joined a group on the Rooiplein . The protestors later proceeded to the Admin B building where a memorandum was handed over to Mr Pieter Kloppers, Director for Student Structures and Communities. The memorandum has been submitted to the University management. As reference is made to the University Council in the memorandum, management will have to discuss its content with the Chairperson and other members of Council before responding.
Just before 15:00 the group in front of Admin B dispersed and shortly afterwards the buses arrived to pick up their passengers and return to their campuses.
Click here to download a PDF of Prof De Villiers' presentation to the Portfolio Commitee.
