Africa-Press – South-Africa. After three incidents of Stellenbosch university students urinating on the belongings of another student, William Sezoe asks if the institutions is serious about transforming living spaces into something that is inclusive.
After the third urination incident at Stellenbosch University (SU) this year, one cannot help but ask whether this has now become a culture at the institution.
I was attending a ceremony the other day where the HOD of the Western Cape Department of Culture, Arts and Sport said that we should never disassociate ourselves from the injustices those we serve are facing.
With that in mind, it leaves us with serious questions that deserve honest answers; is the institution serious about transforming these residence spaces into more inclusive living spaces, and are they willing to fight back against the injustices that students of colour face within these spaces?
Common practice
These barbaric acts have now become a common practice at SU where students are comfortable urinating on the belongings of others after Theuns Du Toit set the precedent a few months ago. Du Toit urinated on the belongings of fellow Matie, Babalo Ndwayana. Since he was expelled from the university, one would have thought it would stop there.
No. The stinking pee culture continues, and when the other two recent incidents are examined, the merits are quite similar; a drunk white student urinating on the belongings of students of colour.
This should not be acceptable. It is the most dehumanising act ever. No student should ever wake up to a room smelling of pee.
As if the Covid-19 pandemic, its consequences, and academic stress were not enough for one’s psyche, students now have to wonder, “Am I next?, “Am I the next toilet?”, “Am I in a safe space?”, “Am I welcome here?”
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And this should not be what students have to worry about. We came to university to change our circumstances, to become successful and to partake in the economy of our county and the world. We came to these spaces because Nelson Mandela showed us the possibilities of growth through education.
Let’s address the issue of alcohol. Yes, of course, there is that influence at play, and the institution will have to look at combatting the abuse of alcohol on its premises. For far too long, a drinking culture was allowed to flourish at these male residences. But the drinking culture alone cannot be blamed for these latest developments.
If indeed it was because of intoxication and intoxication only; why is it that white students are peeing on the belongings of black students and black students only? Why are black students not urinating on the belongings of white students? Why is it that these incidents are only happening at SU when residential students at other universities also abuse alcohol?
Are these acts deliberate? I don’t know, and I won’t speculate as such.
But it is perhaps critical for SU to closely examine these types of incidents and come up with practical prevention strategies.
The institution should look at the following if it is serious about transforming residence spaces:
Critically evaluate male residences, their history, their toxic masculine cultures, militant practices, and unwelcoming practices.
Critically assess the role of the Centre of Student Communities in transforming the university residential spaces.
Look at the possibility of getting rid of residences that are gender-specific – make it mixed. This will hopefully also help to write a better and inclusive history for toxic male residences.
There must be equal representation in every university residence when placing students.
There must be equal representation of leadership at the university residences. This includes the House Committees and the Residence Heads.
The Transformation Office must play a more active role in university residences, with a specific mandate to ensure these spaces are compliant with equal representation as mentioned above. It must be a welcoming space for all who live in it, ensuring that residences meet transformation goals.
The institution must recognise that racism exists within its spaces and take proactive steps to address it.
The institution needs more proactive measures to send out clear communication that SU won’t tolerate such behaviour.
My hope is that the institution will become more serious about this and act on the above recommendations without delay before it is too late.
– William Sezoe is the Vice-Chairperson of the Stellenbosch University (SU) SRC and DASO FedEX member but writes in his own personal capacity.
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