The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN) is extremely outraged by the continuing racist public agitations, incitements and propaganda tactics being orchestrated by Prof Hermann van Schalkwyk (Rector, NWU Potchefstroom) and leaders of Afriforum / Solidariteit at the North West University (NWU) Potchefstroom campus against the proposed university unitary model as proposed by the Vice-Chancellor of the NWU, Prof. Dan Kgwadi. Whilst we do not fully agree with all of Prof Dan Kgwadi’s proposals, we fully support the implementation of the proposed unitary university model.

Our analysis of the past weeks supports our opinion that the Beeld newspaper and other newspapers of the Media 24 newspaper group are unwittingly fanning the flames of a racist insurrection against transformation at the institution.

Afriforum/ Solidariteit and Prof van Schalkwyk’s instigations and scare tactics to white students, alumni and parents have continued unabated and have recently been joined by officials of the Nederduitse Gereformeerde (NG) church and other rightwing “verkramptes” who have threatened to withhold their funding support and are demanding to revert back to their old racist ways back to the old Potchefstroom Universiteit vir Christian Higher Education (PU vir CHO).

The Convocation of the NWU has also been totally overrun by Afriforum/ Solidariteit zealots. This is evidenced by their fanatical rejection of the proposed unitary NWU model and “election” of Mr Flip Buys to the NWU Council. The Network rejects the validity of the current NWU Convocation as it excludes the participation of alumni from the NWU Mafikeng and Vaal campuses.

It is clear that the forces of evil racism are on the march and the battles lines have been drawn. We thus accordingly call on all North West communities, students, alumni, trade unions and progressive organizations to rise and join hands by taking to the streets and courts to:-

Stop the Afriforum/ Solidariteit conspiracy against the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dan Kgwadi, by demanding the implementation of transformation and one unitary university model at the NWU.

• Demand the immediate suspension of Prof. Hermann van Schalkwyk for his racist agitations and incitements of the Afrikaner community against the principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
• Demand the eradication of the current NWU federal model and implementation of the findings of the NWU 2014 Independent Task Team Report led by Dr Leon Wessels, Dr Somadoda Fikeni, Adv. Rehana Rawat and Dr Bismark Tyobeka.

We condemn the deafening silence of Higher Education South Africa (HESA) on the matter. The embarrassing silence by HESA in the face of unconstitutional racist incitements perpetrated by a member institution confirms our long-held opinion that there exists myopia and groupthink within the ranks of HESA. The silence of the NWU Vaal and Mafikeng Campus Rectors on the matter is also cause for concern.

As the NWU Council enters its deliberations on the 20 – 21st March 2015, we give NWU Council an ultimatum to adopt the proposed unitary model of the NWU and stop Prof. van Schalkwyk’ s racist campaigns or face popular mass action by communities.

We caution the NWU Council, alongside Solidariteit / Afriforum not to attempt to oppose the mandate of the state with regards to transformation as the NWU can no longer hide corruption, mismanagement, lies and racism under the veil of institutional autonomy.

We call on the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Ndzimande to urgently consider appointing an Administrator to take over functions of the current Council as it is clear that Council is failing its statutory functions.

The Higher Education Transformation Network