WILGENHOF SEEKS HIGH COURT REVIEW OF SU COUNCIL DECISION ON THE RESIDENCE
17 September 2024
The Wilgenhof Alumni Association will approach the Western Cape High Court, requesting that it review and set aside the Stellenbosch University (SU) Council’s irrational decision to close Wilgenhof, taken yesterday.
The council has decided to close Wilgenhof for one year and to consider a change of name for the residence. This decision is irrational and the Wilgenhof alumni find it incomprehensible.
The legal representatives of the Wilgenhof Alumni Association have today written to Dr. Nicky Newton-King, Chair of the SU Council, as well as Prof. Deresh Ramjugernath, the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, requesting reasons for the Council's decision, to be provided by the close of Thursday, 19 September.
The letter to Dr. Newton-King and Prof. Ramjugernath, also asks for details on Wilgenhof's supposed need for renovations. The university's sudden concern for the residence's alleged non-compliance with Department of Higher Education and Training’s Policy on the Minimum Norms and Standards for Student Housing rings hollow. This policy has been in effect for almost nine years, and during 2021-2022 a comprehensive upgrade project was undertaken at Wilgenhof - why is there a need for renovations now, and why would it take a year to complete?
The university's focus on renovations appears to be nothing more than attempt at rationalising an inherently irrational decision to close the residence for the whole of 2024.
The university’s lengthy decision-making process was initiated by misrepresentations in the media and the fundamentally flawed findings of an investigative panel. This panel also acted outside of its mandate and in a procedurally unfair manner. Nevertheless, despite receiving written submissions from 288 persons, conducting 59 interviews and extending its deadline, the investigative panel still did not find any actual evidence of racism, abuse, torture or any of the other sensational claims.
Any form of closure will unfairly reinforce the perception that Wilgenhof is guilty of these unfounded claims and further damage the name of Wilgenhof and its alumni.
The planned interventions of the university will also scatter the current Wilgenhof residents and deal a destructive blow to the unique, inclusive and supportive community that has been created in Wilgenhof - a community that has been recognised and celebrated by a diverse cross section of Wilgenhof residents, both past and present. It has also created a profound sense of uncertainty and stress for Wilgenhof residents, who are currently writing important tests under the most uncertain of circumstances.
Furthermore, the decision of closure has severe consequences for the Wilgenhof Alumni Association's bursary program. The Alumni Association awards nearly R500 000 annually to deserving Wilgenhof residents and on which a number of students are reliant on for pursuing their studies. The bursaries are inextricably tied to the residence and closure in 2025 severs this funding opportunity for students for one year. This poses a material threat to the future of these students.
The alumni are also deeply concerned by a proposal, made by the university Council, of a possible name change for the residence. A full change of name would be an assault on Stellenbosch's heritage and the valuable contributions Wilgenhof and its former residents have made to the university and the country.
The university's decision sends out a clear message that the SU values political expediency above the real concerns of its alumni and students. The Wilgenhof Alumni Association has been inundated with messages of support from alumni of the wider Matie community. It is clear alumni find the decision upsetting. The university risks a permanent break between it and its loyal alumni, which could have profound consequences for the institution.
Statement issued by Jaco Rabie, spokesperson of the Wilgenhof Alumni Association, 17 September 2024
