Cape Town — Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, welcomed the investigation into the Wilgenhof Men’s Residence at Stellenbosch University (SU), and has condemned racism at places of learning.
Nzimande’s comments come after an independent three-member panel was appointed to investigate the shocking discovery of disturbing items in one of the residence rooms in January this year, and ruled that the controversial residence be shut down at the end of this year, EWN reported.
The minister then requested the university to give him a report on the outcome of the investigation and Nzimande’s spokesperson, Vele Mbele, said he would study the report before addressing the steps the university would take.
“The minister wishes to once again strongly condemn racially inclined practices at places of learning. Such racist and discriminatory practices or cultures have no place in a free and democratic South Africa.” he said.
The three-member panel is comprised of the university’s Deputy Registrar of Governance, Ethics and Compliance, an experienced independent Advocate from the Cape Bar and a former experienced university executive in higher education, who reviewed the items and advised the next steps, IOL reported.
SU said the rectorate accepted the principal recommendation that the Wilgenhof Residence should be closed.
“The Rector will now recommend to Council that Wilgenhof Residence should be closed and that alternative uses be considered for the buildings. Council will consider the Rector’s recommendations at its meeting on June 24,” SU said.
“Given the body of evidence presented by our expert panel, we have accepted its main recommendation that closure of the Wilgenhof residence is the appropriate action going forward.” the rectorate added.
Alternative uses for the space will be discussed to be effected in 2025.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
