Two female students of the Heemstede residence at Stellenbosch University (SU) have been suspended from the residence pending the outcome of an investigation after a 'blackface' incident at a housewarming event earlier in the week. One of the students has also been relieved from her duties as student mentor.
The University acted swiftly in the matter after Management was informed of the incident on Friday (5 February 2016). A case has been registered with SU's Equality Unit, a recently established entity to deal with all forms of unfair discrimination, and the matter was reported to the Central Disciplinary Committee.
Students voiced their anger, discontent and hurt about the incident at a meeting held in Heemstede on Friday evening. It was attended by a large group of students, the Students' Representative Council (SRC), the residence house committee, Heemstede residents and University staff members, including Prof Nico Koopman, Acting Vice-Rector: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel, and Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-Rector: Learning and Teaching. Discussions continued well into the night. The house committees of all University residences have been requested to hold open and frank discussions and to explain the impact of such incidents to their residents by Sunday evening.
With reference to the Heemstede indent, the Faculty of Law meanwhile said in a short media release that it had noted with concern the apparent involvement of a Stellenbosch Law student in a 'blackface' incident on campus. "The relevant University structures are currently in the process of investigating the matter. Upon the necessary information being received, a further statement will be released by the Faculty."
In the light of a similar incident in 2014 as well as national reports on acts of racism in our country, SU Management regards the incident in a very serious light. Management condemns all forms of racism and discrimination and acknowledges the severe negative impact of the pain and trauma experienced by students, staff and members of the public.
