‘Window Dressing’ – Wilgenhof alumni call for answers after Justice Cameron says report was altered

Stellenbosch University leaders have been called to “answer damning questions about secrecy, tampering and dishonesty” around alleged changes to a report that recommended the closure of Wilgenhof – the male residence founded in 1903 that made headlines this year after an exposé on allegedly dehumanising initiation and disciplinary practices.

“What should have been a fair and transparent process, turned out to be the opposite,” said a statement by Jaco Rabie, spokesperson for the Wilgenhof Alumni Association on Sunday, 27 October 2024.

The association’s comments followed a Netwerk24 report on Saturday, which was based on an affidavit by Stellenbosch University chancellor, former Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron.

According to Cameron’s affidavit, university vice-chancellor, Professor Wim de Villiers and council chairperson, Dr Nicky Newton-King, allegedly changed the report which recommended Wilgenhof’s closure.

In his affidavit, Cameron said the report had included an option to keep the residence open while consultation with residents and the broader community was ongoing. However, according to Cameron, this section was altered in the publicly released final report.

In his role as chancellor, Cameron had access to the report from the panel appointed to review the matter. It was sent to him by De Villiers. Cameron is a former Wilgenhof primarius, or head of the residence committee.

The residence’s closure is now the subject of a court application by the Wilgenhof Alumni Association, which has filed papers in the high court to overturn the university’s decision.

In a statement on Sunday night, Stellenbosch University said the issue was “deeply regrettable”.

“With reference to recent developments, media reports and allegations around the Wilgenhof matter, Stellenbosch University will convene an extraordinary meeting of Council on Friday, 1 November 2024 to consider the matter,” said the university.

The Nagligte

In January 2024, News24 reported on a 23-page document which outlined a student’s experience of Wilgenhof. The allegations centred on the residence’s unofficial disciplinary and initiation committee, the Nagligte, and two rooms that featured imagery and regalia associated with white supremacy.

The two rooms at the residence were raided and were found to have crude drawings depicting what appeared to be male sexual assault, black hoods with a resemblance to those of the Ku Klux Klan, and a toxic mixture of linseed oil and aloe crystals allegedly used to bring on acute diarrhoea.

In one room, used condoms were found along with items such as broken eggshells and writings on the wall.

Read more: Maties must root out toxic and exclusionary culture exposed at Wilgenhof, but is it brave enough?

By 30 January, the university announced a panel would look into what happened in the rooms and related matters.

On 21 June, the university’s rectorate said it received the report and “unanimously accepted the principal recommendation of the Panel that the Wilgenhof Residence should be closed”.

The report was damning.

“The Nagligte ritual invokes symbols and practices associated with white supremacy, which demean residents of Wilgenhof,” it said.

“The Wilgenhof culture – which reveres the Nagligte institution as one of its core expressions – is deeply problematic and counterproductive, viewed against SU’s stated values and vision to become a transformed, diverse and inclusive South African university.”

It said Wilgenhof “should be permanently closed”.

On 16 September, the university announced that the council had decided to “close the Wilgenhof residence in its current format and replace it with a reimagined and rejuvenated male residence”. 

‘Bad faith’

Following the report on Cameron’s affidavit, Rabie from the Wilgenhof Alumni Association said, “The Wilgenhof Alumni Association has been participating in all the processes set by Stellenbosch University this year in good faith and with the eye on a constructive resolution. But the existence of an alternative report shows that SU did not act in good faith toward Wilgenhof alumni and current students.”

Rabie said the panel that produced the report and subsequent engagements through the council “have all simply been window-dressing so that the university can force through a predetermined decision”.

He said the actions of the university management have led to “immense reputational harm” for both current and former Wilgenhof residents and the association believes only the courts can remedy the situation.

Stellenbosch University said on Sunday, “Council is legally opposing the Wilgenhof Alumni Association (or Wilgenhof Bond) review application which seeks to set aside the report of the Panel appointed to investigate the content found in two rooms at Wilgenhof. The University trusts that through the Council and legal processes it will remain on course in its endeavours to effect decisive change.”

Other association settles

Another association, the Advancement of Wilgenhof Residents (AWIR), had also approached the courts to challenge the decision to close the residence, but last week reached a settlement with the university. 

Under the settlement deal, current Wilgenhof students and new first-years will together move to a new residence and retain the current house committee in 2025. The university will aim to complete most of the Wilgenhof renovations in the first semester of 2025 to allow the students to return. 

“Our intent is not, and has never been, to target or demonise current students but to ensure a decisive break with past unacceptable and secretive practices. As such, SU supports bringing residents back to the Wilgenhof residence once sufficient progress with refurbishment has been made,” said Newton-King.

AWIR spokesperson Noelani King-Conradie said, “This settlement goes a long way in addressing the uncertainty and unfair treatment our sons have had to deal with this year. As parents, and as Wilgenhof residents, we are committed to the renewal of Wilgenhof’s traditions. We are certain our sons will take on the task of renewal and change at Wilgenhof in their stride.”

DA calls for accountability 

On Sunday, the Democratic Alliance called for the “immediate suspension” of De Villiers and Newton-King following the Cameron allegations.

Party spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the allegations “made under oath by a former member of the highest judicial body in the country, constitute a grave breach of trust and a serious compromise of university governance”. 

The party said that given the severity of the allegations and “their potential impact on the credibility of Stellenbosch University”, they urged the council to suspend both individuals and establish an independent inquiry into Cameron’s claims. DM