Following the aftermath of the Stellenbosch Urinator incident, the University has communicated its plans going forward with the inquiry, appointing a new leader of the independent commission – Justice Sisi Khampepe.
Justice Khampepe obtained her LLM degree at Harvard Law School in the United States, has run her own firm and has represented numerous human rights bodies. She was also appointed by Nelson Mandela under his presidency as a TRC Commissioner, followed by another appointment as a member of the TRC’s Amnesty Committee.
She worked as National Director of Public Proesecutions, was appointed as a Judge in the High Court (TPD), and most recently was appointed as a Judge to the Constitutional Court, amongst many other accolades.
Justice Khampepe and the Commission will consider the following in light of the alleged racism incidents at Stellenbosch, as per the University:
Incidents of racism at the University, with reference to the recent occurrences at Huis Marais and the Faculty of Law’s Law Dance;
- The current state of diversity, equity and inclusion within the University campus culture, with specific reference to racism;
- Given the University’s stance of zero-tolerance towards racism, whether the current structures of the University and its material university policies, rules and processes are sufficient and most effective to address the lived experience of students and staff with regard to racism in all its guises; and
- Related issues and concerns that may arise in the course of the inquiry, including the need for further investigation or consideration of related issues
“We are thankful that a person of the calibre of Justice Khampepe availed herself to assist SU with this important commission,” said The Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU), Prof Wim de Villiers.
The Commission is set to commence in mid-June.
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Picture: Stellenbosch University