While the Khampepe Commission's report highlights some of Stellenbosch University's progress made in our transformation journey, there are also points of weakness that we must address, writes Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Wim de Villiers.
While the Khampepe Commission's report highlights some of Stellenbosch University's progress made in our transformation journey, there are also points of weakness that we must address, writes Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University,With the findings and recommendations of the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry into incidents of alleged racism at Stellenbosch University now released , what have we learnt as an institution and a community in higher...
Notably, in the Commission's report, following an intense and arduous inquiry into allegations of racism as it pertains to unsavoury incidents on our campus earlier this year, is the acknowledgement that our institution has made meaningful strides in its quest to"renew a common world" for our staff and students, albeit in a slightly different context: dealing with the remnants of our apartheid past.
It brings into sharp focus some of the deficiencies at the deeper levels of human interaction that stymie our efforts toward meaningful human restitution that will radiate the true character of the SU that we aspire to – a welcoming place where we celebrate the richness of diversity. Key strands from their evidence, with reference to transformation, racism and social justice in the SU-context, point to the set of known unknowns that require deeper attention in order to shape attitudes and behaviour that are more aligned with our institutional values, which sit at the heart of our vision to renew our common world:
The inclination and propensity of white students to experience student life along the lines that past generations enjoyed under apartheid with all its"fun" elements. Hence the romanticised and glorified positions of residences and their unique cultures, at times, surpassing the value and place of the institution in the lives of students. This is further reinforced by the influence of powerful alumni who regard the residence experience and culture as untouchable. .
A compounding factor is that these beliefs among students and staff of what is normal to them tend to manifest as the immutable norm. It points to the deeper layers of the task at hand – disrupting misguided beliefs, unlearning inappropriate modes of behaviour, shaping new and shared perspectives on what I want to call the"cocktail of immutable norms".
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