By: Natasha Archary
Stellenbosch University suspends the white student who urinated on a fellow student’s belongings. The university said the student’s actions went against its priority of building an inclusive environment for learning.
This after a shocking video of a white student who was urinating in a first-year, black student’s res room went viral on social media on Monday, 16 May.
“The University strongly condemns the destructive, hurtful and racist incident that was captured on a cell phone video in the Huis Marais residence on the Stellenbosch University campus in the early hours of Sunday morning.”
Stellenbosch University
However, angry students and the university’s SRC say a suspension does not suffice and they are calling for the white student to be expelled.
Disgruntled students say that this is not the first racially-motivated incident of discrimination at the university.
The university has also chosen to protect the identity of the student who was involved in the disgusting act.
However, he has been identified as Theuns Du Toit, who reportedly only apologised for his actions when he realized he had been caught on camera.
Zungu also said that students are tired of the Stellenbosch University putting matters under investigation and there is no outcome or action taken.
In an interview with eNCA, SASCO Western Cape convener, Sifiso Zungu said black students are tired of reporting racial incidents at the university because nothing is done about it.
“Students have told the university that they are not interested in the suspension but want the white student to be an example and be expelled. This will send a strong message to others in the same student residence or in the university space who are still participating in racist acts,” Zungu said.
According to the university swift action was taken and management of the Huis Marais residence was informed of the incident.
“We acted swiftly and decisively to uphold our commitment to a culture of inclusivity. What happened at Huis Marais is not acceptable. No student has the right to diminish another student’s human dignity or rights in this way,” Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University.
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