Hundreds of Stellenbosch University (SU) students took to the streets after the university announced that there would be no shutdown.
Moving from the Rooiplein to the Admin B Building, and then to the Centre for Student Communities, students chanted “Where’s SU?”
Stellenbosch University has received much criticism on social media for their perceived silence on what is considered a national crisis – that is, gender-based violence.
Protests started on campus last night. Read here.
We are trending #StellieswhatareYOUdoing because we are tired of @StellenboschUni doing nothing for womxn who have experienced sexual assault, physical assault, harassment and rape on our campus.
— Luke Waltham (@lukewaltham) September 5, 2019
The protest was organized by two SU students; BSc student, Morgan Watson, and Visual Arts student, Kendra Underwood. “Stellenbosch is too quiet. We needed a place for people’s voices to be heard,” said Watson.
Students came dressed in black, carrying posters. “Enough is enough,” chanted the crowd, filling up the Rooiplein.
Students raised their hands when asked who of them are scared on campus. PHOTO: Jessica Josephs
Many of the protestors feel that SU has not done anything, despite complaints from students about living in fear.
Outside Admin B, the students awaited a response from the management of the University. Various questions were shouted as the doors remained closed; “Where is Wim? What are you doing? Why aren’t you here? F**k your rape culture!”
The staff of the Centre for Student Communities stood outside as protestors gathered. Students called for deputy director of the centre, Gareth Cornelissen, who had promised solutions by the end of the term. This took place at a student meeting on the 4th of September, following an accusation of sexual assault made against a SU staff member on social media.
“You are responsible for protecting students. Not harboring rapists,” shouted PGCE student, Ashwin Maloy.
Despite this, director for the centre, Pieter Kloppers seemed to have no answers.
Director for the Centre of Student Communities, Pieter Kloppers, addressing the crowd. PHOTO: Jessica Josephs
“The university is totally inept if we can’t understand it. We don’t have the full information and once somebody comes forward and gives us the information, we can go forward with the processes,” he explained.
Kloppers added that there would be a five-day period where students can come forward with information, despite students asking for answers now.
Protestors shouted in disbelief before walking back toward the Rooiplein.
BA Humanities student, Tshegofatso Matsha, stayed behind to talk to Kloppers; “Part of the problem is that you are not recognizing that there are so many systems at work here, that are preventing us from getting our degrees. Sir, we came here to get degrees. We came here to secure the bag. Not to go home in a body bag. Please understand that. Internalize it. Recognize that it is not just my pain […] It’s everybody’s pain.”
She added, “We are tired of crying to you Mr Kloppers. Please stop talking. Please stop talking and start acting.”
Written by Aaliyah Davids & Jessica Josephs.