The university’s Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, says in a letter to all Alumni after his first year in office that despite major success at the university one cannot say “all is well and we have no problems. Yes, we are facing challenges – complex and demanding ones. But I think we are making good progress.
To this means:
• Stellenbosch University’s Language Policy is currently under review to ensure that our commitment to “multilingualism without exclusion” finds the best possible practical expression in the learning and teaching environment. This is being done in pursuance of the twin goals of greater access and student success.
• Efforts to achieve greater inclusivity are continuing unabatedly at SU. Last year, R70 million was allocated from the Rector’s Strategic Personnel Fund to boost the diversification of the institution’s staff core, especially at senior academic level, and several appointments have already been made. We are also participating in the government’s New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP).
• Building greater social cohesion on our campuses remains a priority. It has been disappointing to me that we are still struggling with racism, sexism, gender violence and other forms of discrimination and abuse – admittedly nationwide, not just at SU, but that does not absolve us from doing our utmost to solve these problems. I am glad to say SU no longer seems afraid of the T-word! Transformation has explicitly been elevated to top-management level, and our Transformation Office is up and running.
De Villiers says he has been encouraging an “open conversation” at the university in addressing challenges. “Critical and robust debate is intrinsic to the university as a social institution. And everyone has a right to lawful and peaceful protest under the Constitution. It is important, though, that neither academic nor administrative activities should be disrupted, that everyone’s rights should be respected, and that no-one should be denied the opportunity to study or work at the University. The DHET and Universities South Africa have made it clear that higher-education institutions have a responsibility to protect their people, property and activities.”
At the start of the new millennium, the university made a commitment to redress and development. “In line with this, I announced at my inauguration last year that the University would be establishing a bursary fund for descendants of members of the Stellenbosch community who suffered forced removals from the Vlakte in the apartheid era. I am pleased to say that the first five Vlakte bursaries have since been awarded. Ten more descendants of Vlakte families could also be assisted with bursaries from other sources available to the University, and good contributions were made to bursaries by external funders. In 2015, SU paid out R658 729 million in bursaries and loans to undergraduate and postgraduate students – to our knowledge the most of any university in the country.”
De Villiers closes his letter by saying: “Education is the ultimate form of empowerment. Let this inspire us as we go forward in creating a community of social justice and equal opportunities for all.”
