Stellenbosch University's Wilgenhof saga set to drag on into 2025

CAPE TOWN - Stellenbosch University made news headlines throughout the year in 2024 after disturbing items related to alleged racism were found in its Wilgenhof residence.

A three-person panel was appointed to probe whether the university covered up unacceptable practices at the residence.

Following the investigation, the university's council accepted a recommendation for Wilgenhof to be closed down and refurbished in 2025.

After a dispute between the Association for the Advancement of Wilgenhof Residents and the university about the council’s decision to close the residence, SU council chair, Nicky Newton-King made this statement.

"Council believes that this development is in the best interest of Stellenbosch University and all its stakeholders. Our intent is not and has never been to target or demonise current students but to ensure a decisive break with unacceptable and secret practices."

The Wilgenhof Alumni Association then took Newton-King and rector, Wim de Villiers, to task for allegedly altering the panel's recommendation before handing it to council.

Spokesperson for the association, Jaco Rabie: "First, when the Wilgenhof report didn't give the answers they wanted, the rector and council chair simply decided it should be amended. And now, when council is faced with the highly inconvenient findings of a panel, they themselves appointed, they just wave it away as if it's a minor nuisance."

Rabie said that the association would take court action against the university in 2025.