Cape Town - Another black Stellenbosch University (SU) student has opened up about being humiliated by a white student, who allegedly urinated in his room and was only suspended with no further action.
While the incident allegedly took place in 2018, the student told the Cape Times that the recent viral video showing Theuns du Doit urinating on the study material of fellow student Babalo Ndwayana at Huis Marais residence, opened old wounds.
When Ndwayana confronted Du Toit about what he was doing, he can be heard responding that “this is what they do to black boys”.
Du Toit has since been suspended, faces a criminal complaint and could be expelled from university.
In the wake of that attack, the fourth year student in the 2018 incident said he was forced to move residences because of a similar event.
“This was in my first year in Eendrag Men’s Residence, we were having a social event. We were sitting in my room with three friends having drinks. A white Afrikaans guy just came into my room while we were sitting there and started peeing on my door. We confronted him because out of all the rooms he chose mine. We felt disrespected by him because he passed the toilet and came straight to my room.
“He fought with one of my friends and made some racist remarks. I reported him to one of the residence committees.
“He was suspended for a few days and eventually came back, the committee said that they were investigating the incident but nothing happened after that. The guy continued staying in residence.”
He said this happened when they were preparing for exams and he decided not to return to the residence the following year.
“I felt that the committee did not care about what had happened to me,” he said.
A former student who was staying at the same residence said he did not remember any kind of accountability or reprimand of the white student by the university.
“I’m pretty sure I remember our house father shouted at him, but that’s as much as I can remember. It was a hush-hush thing. All I can say is that I can confirm that it did happen and circumstances surrounding it were very questionable and were very similar to this recent incident.
“At the time I didn’t know that this peeing situation could be racially motivated. It was a white Afrikaans boy peeing in the room of a black student. But it was not addressed and the conversation on whether it could be racially motivated certainly did not come about the way it is now,” he said.
Stellenbosch University spokesperson Martin Viljoen said they would review records regarding the alleged 2018 incident and respond in due course.
The institution condemns any form of racism or intolerant behaviour based on racial or any other prejudice, Viljoen said.
“Human dignity is non-negotiable at Stellenbosch University and must be respected, upheld and restored when affected. SU again reiterates that its unwavering priority is to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all its students and to maintain a welcoming and safe student community where social cohesion is promoted to provide quality tertiary education for all.
“SU strongly condemns any destructive or discriminatory behaviour that infringes the rights of any student or member of the community of the University. Racism or prejudice of any form has no place at SU and if it occurs, it will be dealt with to the full extent of the applicable laws and regulations as a matter of principle,” he said.
Meanwhile Ndwayana’s father Mkuseli Kaduka dismissed News24 report that he and Du Toit’s father were to meet and reconcile.
“There are rumours making rounds that I'm meeting with the family of the perpetrator to reconcile with them. I did receive a call from the boy’s father trying to plead his son’s case as any parent would. There are certain forces who are driving their agenda and perpetuating false information.
“I do not have plans to meet with the Du Toits although they would love for that to happen. I’m very much committed to seeing this fight through to the end. If I come out of this with anything it’ll be the dignity of my child restored and the perpetrator facing what’s due to them. I will not waiver nor yield in my quest to seek justice,” he said.
Cape Times