Wilgenhof, the Stellenbosch University (SU) men’s residence at the centre of a recent scandal following the discovery of two secret rooms housing controversial materials, has become distanced from its immediate peers on campus. This is according to the Wilgenhof primarius, Thomas Askew.
Wilgenhof forms part of the Victoria Cluster at SU, which includes Silene, Oude Molen, Harmonie and Monica. According to SU’s official cluster webpage, the cluster is one of eight secondary community systems aimed at fostering symbiosis between on-campus and private-living student communities and offering support and opportunities that enable success within the tertiary space.
Stellenbosch University residences Wilgenhof, Silene, Oude Molen, Harmonie and Monica form part of Victoria Cluster. This is one of eight secondary cluster systems at Stellenbosch University, according to the university’s official website. PHOTO: Bayanda Gumede
“There hasn’t really been a relationship [with the cluster] at all since welcoming, which is sad,” said Askew.
Askew claimed that the executive leaders within the cluster made the decision to refrain from interacting with the residence. “It wasn’t a unanimous decision, but that’s the way it played out […] it’s one of those things you deal with.”
“I don’t know if it will happen this year. I think the cluster[s] leadership have [taken] their stance for their term. I think it will take a lot for [them] to change,” said Askew about the prospect of repairing Wilgenhof’s relationship with the cluster.
The recent scandal at Wilgenhof has led the Victoria cluster to refrain from interacting with the residence, claimed Wilgenhof primarius Thomas Askew in an interview with SMF News. PHOTO: Bayanda Gumede
An almost impossible situation
“Often people imagine that you [can] just postpone relationships until the formal process [has] told us [that] ‘[these are] actually the facts’,” said Monica du Toit, the Victoria Cluster coordinator and residence head of SU women’s residence, Monica. “It’s an almost impossible situation because [students] don’t feel they can talk about it because it might impact the formal process.”
According to Du Toit, as preparations for welcoming cluster activities began in January this year, some communities maintained that welcoming plans could not be halted because of the scandal, while others struggled to continue with planning and “pretend as if nothing happened”.
“I don’t think it’s anyone’s place to […] either rope someone in or cut them loose. I think communities have naturally positioned themselves in the ways they feel [are] aligned to their values,” said Du Toit.
Wilgenhof Primarius Thomas Askew stated that he is not optimistic regarding repairing Wilgenhof’s relationship with the Victoria Cluster. PHOTO: Bayanda Gumede
Some residences remain neutral pending investigation
Other communities on campus, such as SU women’s residence Nerina, have maintained a “neutral stance while the university’s investigation is underway”. This was according to the House Committee (HC). The Nerina HC stated that their stance is “to prioritise fairness, individual autonomy and fostering positive relationships between individuals at Nerina and Wilgenhof”.
The student leadership of the Victoria cluster were unable to offer comment.