South African social media is up in arms following what many deem a racist incident at Stellenbosch University after a white student was filmed urinating on a black student’s belongings.
The video, which has been widely shared on social media, has sparked outrage, opening the door to conversations about reportedly racially motivated instances at the institution.
A white student urinates all over a black first year students room, claims this what ‘they’ do to black boys. I cannot keep quiet about this, justice need to be served. I urge you to play your part so this cannot be covered up pic.twitter.com/kbPVZuP6YT
— Simangaliso (@Wanda_Smash) May 15, 2022
As one Twitter user wrote: “Still recovering and battling mental issues because of the racist environment of #StellenboschUniversity.”
The South African Student Congress, SASCO of Stellenbosch, has since condemned and shed light on the event, which they state happened on 15 May.
“In the morning of 15/05/2022 the said racist trespassed and racially attacked the first year black student in his room in Huis Marias in Stellenbosch University.”
They say that the victim was sleeping when he heard a noise in the early hours of the morning to the intruder urinating on his “study desk, books, and on his laptop.”
The response to what was going on was reportedly met with “it is what they do to black boys,” as SASCO concludes.
It has been reported to the relevant authorities.
According to Choice Makhetha, the Senior director of student affairs, who spoke to EWN, the victim is still in shock.
“It was not the K-word but something that borders around discrimination and possibly racism, depending on how you look at it. It was a matter of basically diminishing his human dignity, just looking down on a person,” Makhetha further explained of the muttering that is heard in the video.
The university is reportedly probing the incident where action will be taken, according to its powers.
Given student uprisings like #RacismMustFall and #AfrikaansMustFall, student mobilisation paired with social media activism has a proven track record of ensuring that, should the matter be considered racially targeted, it will not go down quietly.
Another student committee, the Prim Committee of Stellenbosch University have added that they want the student expelled.
“We condemn all humiliating and discriminatory acts and call on all University structures involved to act swiftly without any fear, favour or prejudice,” expressed Christo Van der Bank on behalf of the committee.
Cape {town} Etc has contacted Stellenbosch University and awaits its comment on the incident, with regards to how the student in question is being handled as well as the victim who should be issued every support.
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Picture: Jefri Tamba