Stellenbosch University must change faster
2 September 2015
It is a disgrace that the University of Stellenbosch’s council has prevented transformation on a huge scale since normalisation a quarter of a century ago.
The university is at present entrapped in another controversy about racism, discrimination, inequality and exclusion of some students.
ANC Western Cape leader Marius Fransman (also leader of the opposition in the Western Cape legislature) says: “These allegations come up cyclical, where the university management admits there are race and other problems, but nothing happens. The council of that university refuses to transform.
“The pressure on the former rector Prof Russel Botman until his death to prevent transformation is ironic. The council has stifled the momentum Botman brought to Stellenbosch University to ensure a true non-racial institution that reflects the demographics of the province and country. But the politics of deception continues as too little transformation is allowed and mostly elitist interests are served.