The council of Stellenbosch University was not swayed by the vice chancellor’s recommendation that the controversial Wilgenhof men’s residence — found to have a long history of racism, torture, and abuse — be shut down.
The council, chaired Dr Nicky Newton-King, has instead called for public input on the recommendation that the disgraced residence be closed.
The university said the council, which met on June 24, debated the recommendation. The recommendation was made by vice chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers and his executive team. It then resolved to put the matter up for public opinion.
Recommendation of the investigation panel
De Villiers and the executive were merely supporting the recommendation of an investigation panel. The panel was tasked with probing the sordid contents of two rooms, located inside Wilgenhof. This comes after media reports exposed records and acts of humiliation, torture, and physical and sexual abuse. These were meted out on students as part of initiation and punishment practices at the residence.
“Understandably, the discovery of disturbing contents in the rooms at Wilgenhof earlier this year [was unfortunate]. It has elicited strong and diverse reactions from students, parents, alumni, and other stakeholders,” the university said. It said this in a statement following the council’s meeting.
“The council recognised that opinions on the future of Wilgenhof are deeply divided. This involves several issues. These include the interpretation of tradition and the need for all university practices. This is to enable an inclusive university where all stakeholders feel they belong.
Recommendation warrants further consultation
“Against this background, the council concluded that the rector’s recommendation warrants further consultation and consideration. Therefore, the council is inviting all interested and affected persons and stakeholders to submit written representations. These will be on the issues that the closure or non-closure of Wilgenhof would raise. And that would need to be considered,” the university added.
The university’s executive management appointed a three-member panel to investigate the contents of two rooms.
The final report of the panel was released on June 10. The panel was chaired by advocate Nick de Jager. Former Wits and UFS registrar Dr Derek Swemmer, and deputy-registrar for governance at SU Penny van der Bank were on the panel.
The panel found that “Hool 88” was a room used by the Wilgenhof disciplinary committee. The committee was known as the “Nagligte” (night lights). It used Hool 88 to mete out punishment to students who have transgressed the residence rules.
The other room, called “Toe Argief” served as storage for records, memorabilia, and paraphernalia. These include Ku Klux Klan-like hoods, hangman costumes, and shoes worn by the Nagligte.
Photographs of students being humiliated leaked to the media
The more than a century-long shameful history of Wilgenhof was exposed on January 27 this year. This was after photographs taken during a surprise audit of the residence by the university’s management were leaked to the media.
Contained in the two rooms were photographs showing students being humiliated, tortured, and sexually assaulted. This was in initiation and punishment practices. The audit team had to break down the two rooms’ doors to gain access.
Records found in the rooms were as recent as 2023, and dated back more than a century.
The public has until July 31 to provide input on the future of Wilgenhof. This is including what the implications would be should the council accept the recommendation. The recommendations regard the redesign of Wilgenhof as a different and/or upgraded residence. Suggestions on alternatives to the closure of Wilgenhof are also welcome.
