The Stellenbosch University (SU) Student Representative Council (SRC) has called for the suspension of a student and security guard – believed to have been employed by contracted security – due to alleged racist actions on several occasions.
This is according to Roceshia Februarie, the interim president of the SRC.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) offices situated on the second floor of the Neelsie Student Center. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
The SRC submitted concerns to the rectorate on 28 March, following numerous alleged racist incidents on campus since the beginning of the first semester, according to Februarie, in an SRC statement posted on Instagram.
“We have aimed to keep in contact with [the victims] and recommend CSCD [Center for Student Counselling and Development] services,” said Februarie, in correspondence with SMF News. “In the meantime, we have escalated the matter to ensure urgent resolution.”
Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson, told SMF News, via correspondence, that the incidents are currently being followed up with the relevant parties.
“Internal processes can only be commenced upon the laying of a complaint,” said Viljoen.
The first incident allegedly occurred on 31 January, and involved individuals from the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute at the Neelsie Student Center, according to Februarie in her statement. “[The] individuals, as a collective, took to the [Neelsie] stage wearing black face paint and making use of whips around the area,” claimed Februarie.
An incident of racism allegedly occurred at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Neelsie Student Centre earlier this year. This is according to concerns submitted to the SU rectorate by the SU Student Representative Council on 28 March. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
A second incident allegedly took place during protests calling for financial inclusion by SU students on 19 February, according to Februarie in her statement. It is alleged that a student leader was called the k-word by a fellow student.
“The case was filed the very next day after the incident happened,” said Februarie. “The incident took place on Thursday [19 February] and it was reported Friday [20 February].”
The most recent incident allegedly took place on 24 March during a Varsity Cup match, when an “SRC colleague, in doing his duty as sports manager, faced the same racial slur being hurled at him”, read Februarie’s statement.
Danie Craven Stadium at Coetzenburg, where the Varsity Cup match between Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Maties and the University of Pretoria’s Tuks was held on 24 March. It is alleged that this is where a third incident of racism took place, according to Rochesia Februarie, the interim president of the Student Representative Council, in a statement shared on Instagram on 28 March. PHOTO: Ishmael Mabena
The SRC called for the immediate suspension of a security guard who is believed to have been a member of contracted security during the event, according to Februarie.
“Where there is alleged misconduct by an employee of an external service provider, it is for the external service provider to take steps against that employee,” said Viljoen. “The university has undertaken to engage with the external service provider regarding the alleged conduct of its employee.”
SU rectorate ‘deeply distressed’
According to Februarie, the Equality Unit’s investigation must first be completed before the case can be escalated to the Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) and the student can face disciplinary or other consequences.
“[It hurts] to watch it happen, but at the same time it shows that we are far from progress,” said a member of campus security who was nearby at the time of the incident on 24 March. “Why are they protecting the one who said it?”
The campus security member chose to remain anonymous for professional and safety reasons.
Meanwhile, Professor Richard Stevens, acting deputy vice-chancellor for learning and teaching, said that the SU rectorate is “deeply distressed” by the alleged incidents mentioned in the SRC’s memorandum, and that these incidents “are contrary to the values of” SU.
“We would like to reiterate that we condemn any form of unfair discrimination in the strongest of terms,” said Stevens. “The cases that [the SRC] has highlighted could render the institutional values meaningless if this is the lived experiences of many of our stakeholders.”
Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute could not provide comment by the time of publication.
Note: This article was updated on 15 April to indicate Stellenbosch University’s full response.