DASO Maties pressures University Management to act on racist incident

Date: 24 February 2015

In the early hours of Saturday morning, I was assaulted and knocked out cold by fellow students following my intervention in a racially-charged incident at a fast-food outlet in Stellenbosch (see report).

I felt compelled to intervene following the harassment of staff at this establishment in a degrading way by white students. These students racially taunted black staff, and tugged at their uniforms across the serving counter.

I have today written to the Rector, and the Rector's Management Committee, of Stellenbosch University to urge them to prioritise the tackling of racism on the University campus. 

The crime has been reported to the Police, for investigation.

Far more needs to be done by the University of Stellenbosch to address racist attitudes amongst students. 

The closure of the Inclusivity Office and withdrawal of the Dean of Students position has come at a time when attitudes amongst students on campus require more intervention, not less.

The DA Students Organisation calls on Stellenbosch University to take strong action against these individuals within the relevant disciplinary processes.

The University should also consider re-empowering an Inclusivity Office that tackles discrimination. Failure to do so would create the unavoidable impression that the University management is not doing everything to build a truly inclusive and non-racial environment on campus. 

DASO will continue to lobby the University management to show leadership on issues of race and intolerance. In the coming days DASO will also launch our own programme of action to promote inclusivity and respect amongst students on campus.

Statement issued by Sikhulekile Duma, Chairperson: DASO Stellenbosch University, February 24 2015

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