As parents of Stellenbosch University students, we are outraged at Wilgenhof closure proposal

By Bukelwa Mbalane, Razina Patel and Noelani King Conradie

31 Jul 2024

What is the point of punishing innocent residents for something they had no part in and no control over? Why does Stellenbosch University disregard the transformation which has taken place, instead of celebrating and building on this?

When the ‘Wilgenhof scandal’ broke, we, as parents of sons on the verge of their 2024 academic year at Stellenbosch University (SU), were naturally appalled and deeply concerned.

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However, the initial apprehension quickly changed to surprise at the disconnect between the misleading media reports and the positive and inclusive experience our sons have as ‘Wilgenhoffers’. Their experiences are of a welcoming and inclusive space, which became home within a short time.

They became friends with a diverse group of students, and this diversity has been celebrated, fostered and, we believe, a part of Wilgenhof’s culture for decades.

Our sons were born in a democratic South Africa, where they have experienced diversity and inclusion in their formative years. They will not be co-opted to participate in racist or exclusionary practices.

The media was silent on the fact that the normal challenges of student life have been exacerbated by the relentless media reports, the panel’s report, and the Rectorate’s acceptance, during mid-year exams, of a recommendation to close Wilgenhof.

Closing these young men’s newfound home would be a severe blow to students who have worked very hard to get to this place in their academic journey, and it would constitute a disproportionate remedy without merit, even if past practices were unacceptable.

What is the point of punishing innocent current residents for something they had no part in and no control over? Why does SU disregard the transformation which has taken place instead of celebrating and building on this? Our sons would eagerly participate in any further transformation processes.

Since the recommendation of closure became known, parents of current Wilgenhof students spontaneously formed a WhatsApp group to discuss our collective concerns and disbelief, and to talk about what options would be available to us.

The diverse group of Wilgenhof parents who connected in this way unequivocally support the Wilgenhof that our sons have come to know. Many parents have praised the current culture at the residence and the development they have seen in their sons as a result.

The troubling association with the Ku Klux Klan and Nazis needs to be addressed directly. In our group communications, parents of varied racial, cultural and religious backgrounds shared their experiences of inclusivity.

Parents’ responses

Here are some of the responses from parents on the WhatsApp group:

One mother explained that her son “is able to perform his prayers openly (the Muslim prayer being a physical display of servitude five times a day) and is accommodated for fasting in our holy month. In essence, he has grown in his religion, his self-confidence and his character by being told and being shown that diversity is to be embraced and displayed with pride”.

Another mother wrote: “Our son calls it his home. He is a second-year student and is of mixed race. He has never experienced any discrimination or any other negative issues. Rather, he found a brotherhood.”

More confirmation of the Wilgenhof ethos came from a mother who posted: “Both my son and I are Black and from the Eastern Cape. My son is a current resident and has never experienced racism, but brotherhood, a place where he feels he belongs.”

A Zimbabwean mother wrote: “It is my belief that we ironically have, within the walls of this residence, the purest form of diversity… busy with the honest, hard work needed for the healing of an Apartheid legacy, as can be found in South Africa today. It would be a travesty to destroy this commitment. It is a huge sadness that those with the most to say about Wilgenhof have shown the least interest in the experience and welfare of its current, diverse and happy occupants.”

Sense of belonging

The importance of the current culture of diversity and respect at Wilgenhof cannot be dismissed as “subjective” or contrary to the experience of some prior inhabitants. The successful application of the SU residence placement programme resulted in Wilgenhof not being a collection of ‘old boys’ sons’, but a diverse student body which feels a sense of belonging.

Yet our sons have become pariahs on campus. They are treated like criminals, with security personnel and cameras installed to guard them. The recommendation of closure cemented a completely false narrative created in the media, of racism, homophobia and even torture.

We are concerned about the academic and psychological welfare of our children. Ironically, not because of historic disciplinary practices or the contents of the two rooms, but because of the intense storm that ensued after sensational reporting and a flawed investigative report.

Many parents on the WhatsApp group referred to the stressful experience and offensive treatment of their sons since January. Some of the parents’ comments in this regard are quoted below.

A parent of a second-year Wilgenhof resident indicated: “The stress that this possible closure has placed on these boys has been evident, especially over this last exam period.”

A mother who lives far away wrote, “Regardless of what happened, my son had no part in it, so why is his daily life within residence inconvenienced by regulations from the university? Why does he have to feel uncomfortable due to cameras installed directly opposite his room’s door? Why could he not be part of university socials like every other first-year at the start of the year? The university’s mission of inclusivity only seems to be applicable whenever it pleases the university.”

Another mother contributed, “I am disappointed in the way the university did not support the students who reside there and shield them from the media frenzy and false information. Never were the residents asked their view or taken into account.”

An SU alumnus with a first-year son in Wilgenhof had the following to say about her son’s treatment: “The university, which required only the best of the best to be allocated a place in residence, did not support or protect these boys. Rather, they created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear of a future with total disregard for these students adjusting to life after school.”

Our and our sons’ voices have been lost in the chaos that has ensued since the two rooms and symbols were reported on earlier this year.

The parents’ WhatsApp group bore out that there was no forum for parents to interact with SU prior to Council’s decision to allow for submissions on Wilgenhof’s future. Not all parents were aware of the panel’s recommendations. This, we found very surprising. It underscores that there was no communication between SU and the parents of Wilgenhof residents regarding these important matters – none whatsoever.

The only communication the parents of first-year students received from SU was a letter dated 29 January 2024 stating, in relation to student accommodation: “We are committed to keeping you informed about the progress of the situation and any additional measures that may be implemented to ensure an inclusive, safe and welcoming experience for all our students.”

Stellenbosch University paid lip service to their undertaking to keep parents informed, and, importantly, dismally failed to ensure a “safe and welcoming experience” for Wilgenhof residents.

As a group, we were galvanised to make a formal submission to the SU Council, strongly arguing against the closure of Wilgenhof. We recommended processes to ensure the residence becomes even more inclusive. The official submissions on the future of the residence close on 31 July 2024. The decision-making process of the Council now lies ahead and we look forward to hearing what this process will entail.

As concerned parents, we know that a strategic plan to ensure Wilgenhof remains a diverse residence is the best course to follow. We know from parent testimonies and our sons that Wilgenhof is a place of excellence, integrity, dignity and respect.

SU should keep that in mind when they exercise their duty of care towards our sons. DM

Bukelwa Mbalane, Dr Razina Patel and Noelani King Conradie are mothers of current Wilgenhof residents. They write in their personal capacities.

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Parents’ responses

Sense of belonging