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‘Archbishop Tutu said that "forgiveness is not for sissies", which is true, yet the black workers and the entire nation cannot forgive where no forgiveness has been asked, or remorse shown. Until forgiveness is asked for and remorse is shown, the real sissies remain the four Reitz students and we as a nation will continue to refuse to foolishly initiate and engage in one-sided reconciliation processes.'

While the Young Independent Democrats respect Professor Jonathan Jansen's efforts to transform the University of Free State through a variety of integration programs, we feel that his decision to drop the university's charges against the so-called ‘Reitz 4' was a mistake.

Continuing with the case would have been far more effective in that the university could have made a very good example of the four students. The students have not even publically apologized, or shown remorse for their actions, and this has undermined the process of reconciliation.

Sometimes acts of kindness have the unfortunate effect of entrenching the oppressor's belief that he is superior and special and the YID believes this is one such time.

Professor Jonathan Jansen eloquently highlighted in his inauguration speech that racism is a deeply rooted issue and not merely a problem that lies with four individuals. Therefore, he explained, in order for true reconciliation and transformation to take place, the institutional culture throughout all universities will have to be changed.

The YID undoubtedly agrees that transformation remains one of the most important challenges facing universities in South Africa. However, it appears that the black workers whose human rights and dignity were violated are the only ones who are expected to do the reconciliation work.

The four white students have not even undergone any internal discipline process because the charges have been dropped and two of them are being allowed to continue their studies since the other two have already graduated.

Jansen said that the university "has for more than 100 years excluded black people from participating as students by failing to integrate early and with determination, [it] created the conditions in which such a racist act could occur."

Yet the same "institutional complicity" that created the environment for such a racist act to occur is now allowing students guilty of such racist behaviour to get away with it.

The same "institutional complicity" has once again failed black people by robbing them of the chance to be treated as human beings.

By no means does the YID believe that ostracising the four students will resolve the issue of racism. On the contrary, the four Reitz students need to be educated through social integration programs.

In his inauguration speech, the Professor said, "what we will teach our students is not only how to give of their skills, but how to give of themselves in service to communities."

We therefore call on the Professor to allow the students back, but also to ensure that the charges are reinstated.

Jansen called the Reitz students "his students" and said that he would not "deny (his) own children," but within every parent/guardian and child relationship tough love needs to be practiced.

In addition to this we call on the Professor to hold a public hearing at the University, where the four Reitz students are given the opportunity to apologize for their racist actions.

The students have taken the time and effort to write to the Free State Director of Public Prosecutions to drop the charge of crimen injuria against them, according to the Beeld newspaper on Thursday. Surely by now they could have found the time to at least pen an apology.

The fact that the workers are, according to Professor Jansen, going to be paid "financial reparations" seemingly without being consulted about any of his decisions to forgive endorses the baaskap mentality of the past.

Professor Jansen stated that one of the main reasons for dropping the charges was that "the issue of racism will not be resolved in the courts, unless we do something differently."

Sadly, the way the issue has been dealt with is no different. Dropping the charges will not heal the university and its culture.

The Professor mentioned in his speech that there had been many incidents of racism that had gone unpunished, but he has now chosen to make this yet another such incident.

Archbishop Tutu said that "forgiveness is not for sissies", which is true, yet the black workers and the entire nation cannot forgive where no forgiveness has been asked, or remorse shown.

Until forgiveness is asked for and remorse is shown, the real sissies remain the four Reitz students and we as a nation will continue to refuse to foolishly initiate and engage in one-sided reconciliation processes.

The YID also criticises COSATU's call for the Vice Chancellor to be fired. This kind of action is purely impulsive and would not be to the benefit of the university or the students.

Removing the Vice Chancellor does not erase the serious issue of racism at the university. It is time to stop scratching the surface of the issue, and deal with its deep-rooted causes.

Entertaining such outcries shows that we are not dealing with the consequences of Apartheid, but that we are embracing the way in which it has taught us to be each other's enemies.