ENTRENCH VALUES, HUMAN RIGHTS AT VARSITIES

NEARLY three decades after democracy, it is a matter of great concern that racist incidents are still occurring on campuses at universities across the country.

In the latest incident, a student at Stellenbosch University was suspended after he allegedly urinated in his pants while sitting on a chair belonging to his roommate.

The incident took place at Helshoogte, Stellenbosch University (SU) men’s residence, and should not be dismissed as an act of youthful foolishness.

Institutional and cultural introspection is needed.

Just four months ago, student Babalo Ndwayana woke up to a white student, Theuns du Toit, urinating on his belongings at the male residence Huis Marais at the university.

Du Toit was subsequently expelled. A few days before this incident, the law faculty at the university said it was deeply distressed about a reported incident at Huis Marais that infringed on the human dignity of a fellow student.

In the aftermath of these incidents, issues of diversity or lack thereof were raised at the university.

Some members of the faculty spoke out about racial gaslighting and subtle racism.

The university itself said it was committed to “transformation through programmes which aim to adhere to the principles of the Constitution of dignity; healing; social justice; freedom and equality”.

“The various aspects of transformation which we address include: structural transformation, values, culture, policies and plans, indicators and performance measurement, our student profile, our human resources profile, research and social impact, partnerships and health and well being,” it said earlier this year.

More must be done to change the culture at universities where sexism and racism are rife.

As an institution of higher education with an apartheid past, Stellenbosch University must look more closely at integrating the teaching of ethics, values and human rights in all courses.