Trade union Solidarity said it was going to introduce a motion of no confidence against the management of the University of Stellenbosch (US). This comes after the unversity on Friday suspended two Matie students after they had been falsely accused of racism.

Pressure group Open Stellenbosch last week accused the two female Matie students, Poekie Briedenhann and Jo-Anne Cloete, of racism after they had painted themselves purple for a residence’s party. The group falsely alleged that the students had painted themselves black to make fun of black people, whereupon the students were suspended from their residence.
According to Solidarity’s deputy general secretary for the professional industry, Johan Botha, the ill-considered, harsh action taken against the two students is unacceptable and it creates a very bad precedent. “Two students who were seeking innocent fun, have been falsely denounced as racists. Not only has their lives been disrupted by their expulsion from their residence, but they have been widely condemned and are being jeered at by other students. The university’s actions are clearly politically motivated,” Botha said.

Botha believes the action taken against the Matie students is in stark contrast to the way Wits is dealing with the recent racist behaviour of students at this university. “Students at Wits are permitted to spray paint the words ‘F*ck white people’ on the walls of campus buildings. According to the management of Wits, no action will be taken against these students because they merely expressed their constitutional right to freedom of speech. The way in which perceived racism was dealt with at one university is in stark contrast to the way outright racist behaviour at another university is dealt with,” Botha said.

Botha warned that the message conveyed by the above actions may have major negative consequences. “Management of the above-mentioned universities are creating a precedent in terms of which racism against white people is acceptable while white people should be severely punished for alleged racism against black people. We believe all forms of racism, perpetrated by all ethnic groups, are unacceptable and should be dealt with in the same way at all campuses across the country,” Botha said.

Solidarity is currently drawing up a petition for support for its motion of no confidence in the US management. Click here for more information or to sign the petition.

Issued by Solidarity