South Africa: Outrage of university racism
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) - Tensions remain high at Stellenbosch University, near Cape Town, following a racist incident a week ago that has sent shockwaves across South Africa.
PANA reports that a white student was filmed urinating on a black student’s laptop computer in a dormitory. The incident sparked angry protests and the student, Theuns du Toit, has been suspended.
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola on Monday slammed the incident, saying it was similar to urinating on the Constitution.
Addressing the South African National Conference to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, Lamola said: "The incident at Stellenbosch is one too many in recent months."
He noted that it occurred in the year that South Africa was celebrating the 25th year of the Constitution.
“This type of barbaric incident must be condemned and dealt with accordingly,” he added.
President Cyril Ramaposha also addressed the incident Monday, saying the country needed to have honest conversations about racism.
"We need frank and honest dialogue between people of different races on the experiences of black people in South Africa, 28 years into democracy. These discussions should be part of the life orientation curriculum in our schools.
"The arts and culture community should produce content and programming that fully reflects the diversity of the country and the lived experiences of people of all races,” he said.
Meanwhile, the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Deresh Ramjugernath announced exams would be postponed by a week because of the ongoing tensions.
-0- PANA CU/RA 23May2022
