‘We will show compassion, care to newcomers,’ says university
In a scramble for damage control after shocking allegations of abuse at one of its residences, Stellenbosch University said it would not tolerate any “humiliation” of its first-year students.
As a new cohort of students is due to arrive on campus this week, the university said any activity involving humiliation, compromised dignity or exposure to danger would be unacceptable —“regardless of the person’s willingness to participate”.
This comes after a former student filed a report on how students at one of the university’s oldest men’s residences, Wilgenhof, held secret initiation sessions that entailed nudity and abuse of first-year students.
The student, who has since left the university because he was “dead scared , alleged that secret initiations at Wilgenhof saw students forced to drink a toxic mixture of linseed oil and aloe crystals. Students had liquid with a “urine-like odour” poured over them, according to a News24 report.
The student said first-years were approached by members of the residence disciplinary committee called Nagligte (Night lights), dressed like medieval executioners, who instructed them to stand in a line and undress.
Stellenbosch University spokesperson Martin Viljoen said initiation had been “disallowed for many years”.
“The focus of the university is the welcoming of students in a values-driven community in a manner that is friendly, hospitable and affirms human dignity. Any mindset, action, rule or practice that typifies a hierarchical system of power and does not promote a value-driven system is considered unacceptable.”
But Western Cape ANC MPL and leader of the opposition Cameron Dugmore said more needed to be done by Stellenbosch University to rid itself of the “toxic culture” of initiation, including expelling those involved in such conduct.
Earlier last week the university confirmed confiscating “disturbing items that were found in two rooms of Wilgenhof during an audit of the spaces and amenities of the residence”.
The undisclosed items “have been removed and stored in safekeeping”.
“The two rooms have been repainted and will be used for their original purpose.”
Viljoen said the official programme for the welcoming of first-year students, which would assist with the academic and social transition, would kick off on Thursday and run until February 1.
In a letter sent out to former students this week, the Wilgenhof Alumni Association said that while it could not comment comprehensively on the “items of concern” that were discovered by the university at Wilgenhof as it had not seen them, often such historical artefacts could be misunderstood.
“We have engaged with Stellenbosch University and offered to provide the necessary historical context in this regard.”
The association said that in 2020, when Wilgenhof conducted a cultural renewal programme, which it supported, the process resulted in the formal adoption of the Wilgenhof manifesto that stated that it must be a “modern and inclusive residence founded on the principles of respect, individuality, sense of community and critical thinking, informed by the pursuit of excellence”.
Another principle that was adopted was that the residence was “a place of belonging, proud of our heritage but inspired by progress, where all are free to be themselves and where diversity of thought is championed”.
Stellenbosch rector Prof Wim de Villiers assured staff, students and parents that the allegations of abuse were being treated with “the seriousness they deserve”.
“Let us allow the panel to do its work and in the process help us to shape the welcoming and inclusive centre of excellence that we are all striving for,” he said.