Sad to see NMU issue misrepresented
Rebranding criticism
THE lead letter by Jennifer Lindridge, “Rebranding questions not answered” (September 6), itself requires a response.
It is sad to see a number of serious misrepresentations being peddled in print and on a social media page she has apparently created.
First, I was present in the Alumni Association AGM on August 21 that she refers to.
My recollection of the meeting, and those of others I have spoken to who attended, bears little resemblance to what Lindridge is depicting.
The complaint about the rebranding was introduced by Andrew MacKenzie based on a letter he had written to the Alumni Association. His verbal input was supplemented by Lindridge.
The impression created by MacKenzie’s statements at the meeting was that he had become embarrassed by the whole issue.
It would be interesting to know if he still associates himself with his initial statements and Lindridge’s subsequent conduct.
During the course of Lebogang Hashatse’s lengthy explanation of the issues in the AGM and in the subsequent discussion, Lindridge made several interjections and exclamations until ruled out of order by the chair on numerous occasions.
This culminated in her loudly proclaiming that she would be going to the newspaper and social media on the issue.
Not a single other speaker in the well-attended meeting supported her.
All the other attendees who spoke to the topic rejected outright, for various reasons, the issues raised by MacKenzie and Lindridge.
It is therefore false to state that no answers were provided in the meeting.
Not getting the answers you would like to hear is different from not getting any answers at all.
Second, the statement in the opinion piece and in a social media page associated with the anti-branding mini-crusade, that Lindridge is no longer active in the advertising industry and has no vested interest requires some clarification from her.
The website, http:// www.badapplecreative.co.za/ content/ us (accessed as recently as September 6), indicates a Jennifer Lindridge as “owner/managing director” of an advertising agency.
A Linked In page at https://za.linkedin. com/in/jennifer-lindridge-b4528926 (also accessed on September 6) has a Jennifer Lindridge in Port Elizabeth listed as “owner/managing director Bad Apple Creative”.
Is this not the same Jennifer Lindridge who is campaigning against the rebranding?
Third, a social media page associated with Lindridge’s (https:// www.facebook.com/pg/NMU-RebrandSeeking-Transparency-Truth111174439548947/ posts/) gives the lie to the assertion that no responses to the issues have been received from the university and provides the context for the comment cited in the letter that Dr Sibongile Muthwa is no longer prepared to contribute to the conversation.
Among the responses from the university referred to on the social media page are:
September 4, a letter from the university indicating that it would not comment further on the issue;
September 17, acknowledging (and disagreeing with) the detailed opinion piece in The Herald by Hashatse;
August 21, acknowledgement of the discussion at the Alumni Association AGM where Hashatse had given a detailed presentation on the issue;
August 8 and 9, extract and copy of a detailed response from the university to the issues raised, disparagingly referred to as “three pages of legalese”.
Again, not getting answers that confirm your prejudices is not the same as not getting any answers.
If Lindridge genuinely believes there were irregularities in the rebranding process, she is free to pursue a number of legitimate legal channels. The university would, of course, be equally free to respond legally.
The wonderful thing about social media is it allows anyone with access to a computer or smart phone to express opinions on any topic. Opinions often masquerade as facts.
What is abundantly clear is that if there is a controversy at all about the rebranding, then it is an artificial one manufactured and desperately sustained by a handful of people.
Lindridge has a democratic right to devote as much energy and time as she can afford to administering the social media page seemingly devoted to creating fake PowerPoint slides mocking university managers, making misleading statements about the issue, insulting individuals, making unsubstantiated allegations of corruption, creating or reproducing illustrations mocking the brand and generally waging a mini-campaign.
These ultimately only serve to raise questions about the true motivation behind the increasingly irrational comments appearing on the social media page in question.
It certainly does not require that the university stoop to that level as well.
The business of providing quality higher education to as many people as possible is more important than a mud-slinging match over an artificially created storm in a teacup.
I have enough faith in humanity to believe that the people of the metro and the country broadly are not fooled by disinformation and will see the issues for what they are.
The isiXhosa expression, izinja zikhonkota inqwelo ehambayo (dogs only bark at a moving car), seems particularly appropriate in this regard.
Dr Denver Webb, acting chief executive of the University Trust. He writes in his personal capacity.