Maties is serious about fostering transformation

for themselves and see the problems around them, and young enough to want to do something about it. But neither should we be alarmed. There is no problem with activism – as long as it does not degenerate into violence and destruction.

What I do find tremendously reassuring and inspiring is the conversations that are happening despite the current tensions – or maybe it is because of the troubles that Maties are stepping forward and doing their bit. Both Council and Senate have publicly declared their commitment to transformation. The annual elections in representative student leadership structures have now been concluded, and a lot of work is going into preparing them to help guide the honest discussion we need at this university.

There is a wealth of work that has been done for several years already to make the process of Stellenbosch becoming more diverse and integrated a positive one. Our “Listen, Live and Learn” initiative in student housing is a good example, an approach that is not restricted to a few units but permeates the whole of the system.

Significant steps are being taken to reinvigorate the process of change at Stellenbosch University. Transformation has been included in the restructured portfolio of Professor Nico Koopman, one of our vice-rectors. And a transformation office is being established, as well as a broader transformation committee.

Also, to ensure that our journey of transformation is based on sound research, we will be establishing two chairs for transformation, reconciliation and justice.

And we have also allocated R70 million to diversify our staff body, especially at senior academic level. This is a big challenge, though we are not the only university in this position.

There is a serious shortage of senior black academics nationwide, which we are helping to alleviate in the long run with our large output of master’s and doctoral graduates from the designated groups.

Our journey of transformation is incomplete and imperfect, but we remain steadfast in our determination to go forward. That is the only way of creating a community of “social justice and equal opportunities for all” – as our mission states.

Yes, we are at the moment facing challenges, but there are also many exciting opportunities. We must go forward, as I have no doubt we will, by fixing what is wrong and celebrating what is right – together.

Professor Wim de Villiers is rector and vicechancellor of Stellenbosch University.