Cape Town - Students, together with their parents, are expected to approach the Western Cape High Court for an interdict following the decision by Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Council to close the doors of Wilgenhof residence for a year.
The decision was made on Monday to close the residence, to allow for it being transformed into a new and rejuvenated building.
Nicky Newton-King, SU Council chairperson, said the residence would be closed for upgrades to comply with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) Policy on the Minimum Norms and Standards for Student Housing at Public Universities, and would reopen during 2026.
She said that during 2025, current Wilgenhof residents would be given the opportunity to apply for placement in 2026 as per the SU residence placement policy.
She said all current staff supporting and working in Wilgenhof will be deployed to appropriate positions within SU, while the outlined process and upgrades are completed.
Newton-King said that the name of the residence would also be reconsidered, and that proposals will be invited.
“The council is appreciative of the many submissions made in the run-up to the council meeting.
“Our view is that a properly facilitated process that involves SU management, current Wilgenhof residents, other student leaders, and residence heads, to shape a renewed, reimagined, and rejuvenated residence is critical,” she said.
“This needs to be the starting point of meaningful and systemic change in the university’s desire to foster an environment where all students can thrive in a community that upholds the values of inclusivity, respect and excellence and that is aligned with SU’s Vision 2024, SU values, Code 2040, the spirit of its Restitution Statement, and the South African Constitution.
“A renewed residence would acknowledge the constructive aspects of Wilgenhof while making a decisive break with the unacceptable and secretive practices of the past.”
A raid of the men’s residence in January this year followed a 23-page report from a former Wilgenhof resident, who detailed cruel initiation practices in 2022.
Disturbing items were found in two rooms, including Ku Klux Klan-like hoods, and drawings of men involved in violent sexual acts.
Noelani King Conradie, on behalf of the Association for the Advancement of Wilgenhof Residents, said they would be embarking on legal action as the decision impacted students and parents.
“Current residents of Wilgenhof and their parents have established the Association for the Advancement of Wilgenhof Residents,” she said.
“This association, representing a diverse group of parents and students, will approach the high court for an urgent interdict to stop Stellenbosch University from implementing in any way a decision to close Wilgenhof men’s residence for a year.
“The closure is an unnecessary and harmful disruption of the current students’ accommodation, support structures and academic routine.
“The urgent court action will aim to counter the direct harm closure would cause the current residents.
“Temporary closure will be a sanction imposed on the current residents for acts perpetrated by other individuals in the past.
“Collective punishment of the residents of Wilgenhof is unfair.
“Two wrongs do not make a right. Past hurt cannot be addressed by inflicting harm on innocent current occupants.”
Stellenbosch University’s Convocation said in response, that their culture continued to be attacked.
“The campus is reeling under criticism, and most of it is from alumni, civil rights groups, language watch organisations and more or less the entire anti-woke parade,” they said.
“It seems all too often that everything that is Afrikaans, traditional, masculine, rich in culture or heritage is under pressure and pushed out.
“The perception has already taken root undisturbed and will be difficult to move.”
Jaco Rabie, spokesperson of the Wilgenhof Alumni Association said they would also approach the Western Cape High Court, requesting that it review and set aside the Council’s decision.
“The legal representatives of the Wilgenhof Alumni Association have written to Dr. Nicky Newton-King, Chair of the SU Council, as well as Prof. Deresh Ramjugernath, the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, requesting reasons for the Council's decision, to be provided by the close of Thursday, 19 September,” he said.
He argued the closure would have severe consequences for the Wilgenhof Alumni Association's bursary program.
“The Alumni Association awards nearly R500 000 annually to deserving Wilgenhof residents and on which a number of students are reliant on for pursuing their studies. The bursaries are inextricably tied to the residence and closure in 2025 severs this funding opportunity for students for one year. This poses a material threat to the future of these students,” he said.
Phiwokuhle Qabaka, SRC President said they welcomed the decision.
“Myself and one other SRC member were part of that meeting. It was not an easy decision, the deliberations were intense but constructive,” said Qabaka.
“Whether it will fix the problem or not we will never know until we try.
“I can guarantee you that one of the biggest concerns that was on the table was the wellbeing of the students that reside there. It's important that we remember wherever the students are placed in the university they still belong to our community they are still Maties.”
Dr Theo de Jager President of the Stellenbosch Convocation also asked that the residency not be touched as it would affect their heritage: “The best option is to keep Wilgenhof as is; an excellent, proud men's residence with identity and character.”
Cape Argus