The Association for the Advancement of Wilgenhof Residents (AWIR) and Stellenbosch University (SU) concluded their dispute over the closure of the Wilgenhof residence.
‘Disturbing objects’
According to Cape {town} Etc, this comes after AWIR petitioned the court to stop SU from closing the controversial men’s residence.
During an audit of Wilgenhof, ‘disturbing objects’ were identified in two specific rooms.
The Nagligte, Wilgenhof’s internal disciplinary body, reportedly used one room known as ‘Hool 88’ for nighttime disciplinary activities.
The second chamber, dubbed ‘Toe Argief,’ was stocked with costumes, shoes and other paraphernalia associated to these covert activities.
The revelations sparked outrage, and the antiques were promptly removed and stored, while the rooms were repainted and restored to their original functions.
‘Clear break’
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the parties acknowledged the need to make a clear break with previous unethical and hidden practices.
In addition, AWIR and the Wilgenhof House Committee stated their willingness to join in the aided renewal and rejuvenation process, so contributing to the continued development of SU housing.
‘SU is encouraged by the commitment to change shown by the Wilgenhof House Committee and the students’ commitment to the facilitated rejuvenation process and SU regrets and deplores the fact that current Wilgenhof students may have been unfairly labelled, ostracised and isolated.
‘SU recognises that Wilgenhof students may have experienced unfair victimisation, abuse, reputational harm and trauma. It was not SU’s intention to demonise the Wilgenhof students, but to ensure a decisive break with past unacceptable and secretive practices,’ the university said in a statement.
According to the statement, as part of the settlement agreement, the 2025 Wilgenhof students, as well as new first-year students assigned to the residence, will be able to move to a new residence together and keep the current House Committee in place during the first semester.
‘SU will conduct as much of the necessary renovations of the building as possible during the first semester. The students, including the new first years, will be entitled, should they wish to do so, to return in the second semester even if some of the upgrades need to be completed after the residents have returned,’ concluded the statement.
Keep it open – or shut Wilgenhof residence?
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