Audi alteram partem
DEBATE and democracy go hand in hand. One cannot have one without the other. The important thing is that debates are held in such a manner that encourages all interested parties to express their views in a respectful manner and are prepared to listen to other points of view.
Audi alteram partem – let the other side be heard – is a fundamental principle of both journalism and justice. For this reason we congratulate UCT’s staff and students for engaging in the issue of cultural transformation in an impassioned but ultimately dignified open discussion yesterday.
This was in fact preceded by a faecal demonstration against the statue of Cecil John Rhodes that presides over the campus’s rugby field.
While the university’s management took issue with that, it issued a statement that said: “The institution views protest as a basic right, and rigorous debate lies at the core of a university’s character. We strongly uphold the right of UCT students and staff to disagree with each other and university management on any issue. UCT welcomes the initiative taken by students today to demonstrate in a peaceful and lawful manner. We encourage debate and constructive dialogue on all matters affecting our society, including symbolism, race and transformation.”
The fact is, the entire country exhibits statues of colonialists who are part of our history, but the question is where are the statues of Saartjie Baartman or Autshumato (derogatorily known as Harry de Strandloper), to name but two?
In his State of the Nation address in 2012, President Jacob Zuma uttered a promise that provisions would be made “for the recognition of the Khoi-San communities, their leadership and structures”.
He continued: “It is important to remember that the Khoi-San people were the most brutalised by colonialists, who tried to make them extinct and undermined their language and identity. As a free and democratic South Africa today, we cannot ignore correcting the past.”
In this vein, UCT’s progressive and open discussions about the need for more transformation can and should lead the way for the rest of the city, and even the country.