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University of Stellenbosch Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Social Impact, Transformation & Personnel Professor Nico Koopman said the institution will ensure that the work performance of staff members get measured on transformation and confidence building efforts.
Yesterday, the University said it is studying the findings and recommendations of the Independent Khampepe Commission of Investigation into allegations of racism.
Khampepe report showed how black and coloured students feel alienated and unwelcomed at the university.
Koopman said the institution will work on a culture of inclusivity and ensuring co-ownership of the university. He urged students and staff members to work together and participate in the transformation of the university.
“This is a top priority. The Council has decided that 25% of the Key Performance Areas (KPAs) of all staff will focus on transformation. A commitment that can be measured,” he said.
The university has urged all staff and students to participate in the process saying transformation confidence building commitment is something that can be assessed regularly with progress reports produced.
He said overcoming discriminations at the university will be addressed consistently and on a continuous basis.
This week rector and vice-chancellor Wim de Villiers received the commission’s report.
A probe was launched following incidents of alleged racism at the institution.
Theuns du Toit was expelled from the university in July after a video of him urinating on fellow black student Babalo Ndwayana’s study material went viral in May this year.
Following weeks of anti-racism protests in June, the University established an independent probe chaired by retired Constitutional Court justice Sisi Khampepe.
“There is also a general complaint from the students that most social traditions in the residences cater only to White, Afrikaans cultural preferences. Some of the witnesses mentioned that they have attempted to address this concern by working with the student leaders to introduce more cultural diversity into residence events.
“Unsurprisingly, language was also raised as a common complaint that the witnesses hear from students. The use of Afrikaans is a minefield in these residences, because many of them were established as “Afrikaans spaces” with “Afrikaans traditions.” This appeals to Afrikaans-speaking students, who then often feel entitled to treat Afrikaans as the common language in the residence. This appears to upset Black students who do not speak Afrikaans, because they understand this to be an exclusionary and arrogant way of behaving,” Khampepe said.
Meanwhile the DA said it will immediately take Stellenbosch University’s Khampepe report on legal review.
“The report outrageously scapegoats the Afrikaans language for any and all problems at the university. Equating Afrikaans with racism is an insult to an entire community,” it said.
-Inside Education
