A student residence at Stellenbosch University (SU) is in the process of transforming two of its residence blocks into gender-neutral spaces to accommodate queer students. This is according to Fawaaz Cupido, a senior committee member at Goldfields.
The two Goldfields blocks that will be transformed are Wes Driefontein and Deelkraal, said Cupido.
Wes Driefontein (left) and Deelkraal (right) are the blocks in Goldfields that are in the process of being converted into gender-neutral blocks. PHOTO: Supplied/Fawaaz Cupido
“We will change the signage to the bathroom[s] and update our policies, as well as make it known from […] orientation week starting next year,” said Cupido.
Two blocks in the Stellenbosch University residence, Goldfields, have been in the process of being turned into gender-neutral spaces for students who do not feel comfortable in the male or female blocks, according to Fawaaz Cupido, a Goldfields senior committee member. PHOTO: Alison Hermanus
Well-received in residence
The change was prompted by three non-binary students moving into the residence in 2024, which leadership did not expect at the time, said Cupido.
“Goldfields, in the past, has only gotten placement for male and female [students]. We are co-ed, but there haven’t been any non-binary or gender non-conforming students. So there wasn’t a need to include policies [for them] at the time,” said Cupido. “We acted as fast as we could.”
The Stellenbosch University (SU) residence, Goldfields, is in the process of allocating gender-neutral blocks, according to Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson. He added that this process has been well-received by the residents of Goldfields. PHOTO: Alison Hermanus
Why now?
The need for transformation was hastened after one of the non-binary students who moved into Goldfields, was not able to find a stable, comfortable space within the residence, according to Cupido.
According to SU placement policy, the university “considers gender identity as indicated on the student’s application in placement decisions”.
The non-binary student, who requested anonymity, was initially placed in one of the female blocks inside Goldfields with another gender non-conforming student. A female student then entered Goldfields as a late placement and was given the students spot in the female block, said Cupido.
“[Leadership was] then trying to find another assigned-male-at-birth, assigned-female-at-birth pairing [to fill two empty rooms],” said the non-binary student.
However, according to Cupido, there was no other assigned-male-at-birth resident for the student to room with.
According to a non-binary student who requested anonymity, they were not able to find a suitable, comfortable space in the male or female residence blocks of the Stellenbosch University residence Goldfields when they first moved into the residence. PHOTO: Alison Hermanus
While the blocks that are being transformed have been announced as being gender-neutral to the residents of Goldfields, the policies are still in the process of being changed on paper, said Cupido.
The university is aware of the changes that are in process, according to Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson. “This process was well-received in the residence,” said Viljoen.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on 28 April to remove the name of the non-binary individual.