Trimpark uitbreiding bl. 3
SA Netbal bl. 11
Patria July bl. 6
25 Julie 2019 WAPAD ® IS DIE STUDENTEKOERANT VAN DIE NWU-POTCHEFSTROOMKAMPUS
JAARGANG 73
TEL: (018) 299 2875
WAPAD@NWU.AC.ZA
Is the NWU inclusive or exclusive? Umamah Bakharia @official_umamah
P
olitical parties such as Vryheidsfront Plus (VF+), South African Students Congress (SASCO), the Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO), Economic Freedom Fighters Students Command (EFFSC) and AfriForum attended a debate on 16 July at the North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom campus. The topic of discussion at the political debate was whether or not the three campuses are inclusive or exclusive towards factors such as race and language. Teresa Smith, a popular organiser of political events and the facilitator of the debate, quoted an expert on inclusion who stated, “Diversity is being invited to the party, but inclusion is being asked to dance.” VF+ Chairperson, Gene Otto, was
the first speaker to address the audience. Otto began by saying that for the VF+ it is important to value and respect each other’s culture. As Otto progressed with her speech, she switched to Afrikaans. Smith stopped Otto by saying that in the interest of inclusion, it would be best if she spoke English. However, Otto argued that she was told that speaking English was not compulsory because the NWU has a multilingual policy. She continued in Afrikaans but was asked to end her speech if it was not going to be in English. The second speaker was DASO Chairperson, De Wet Geldehuys. He argued that the NWU is inclusive because we have access to all the facilities. Geldehuys said, “We have the choice to be here, to study what we want and in the language that is suitable for us.” He struck towards the ANC’s financial corruption issues and how they focused on race in the country. He further highlighted his view that the ANC tore apart the dream of a rainbow nation. The DASO Chairperson concluded by saying, “We
believe we are inclusive based on the fact that you are not restricted to go and study what you please.” EFF Chairperson, Mpho Koka, chanted along with his supporters “forward with the unity of black students” and “down with Afrikaans” as he began his speech. He argued that the culture of the NWU Potchefstroom campus is exclusive because only white Afrikaner students are benefiting from the activities of this campus. He addressed three different areas: language, culture in residences and the student social life. Koka claimed that black students are excluded from social events because black performers are not invited and that language is being used as a tool to exclude both black students and staff members. Koka concluded by asking, “Why is it that we have black people in top management, but we are still having the topic of exclusion?” Despite Koka’s claims to the contrary, it is well-known that just before the political debate the NWU cancelled a scheduled performance by Afrikaans singer, Steve Hofmeyr, at the Patria Men’s Residence event
PatriaJuly, in the name of creating an inclusive space at all three campuses. The next speaker, Nina Wepener, AfriForum Youth Chairperson, believes that the culture of the NWU Potchefstroom campus is inclusive. Wepener explained why by pointing out that sport has a variety of activities that includes students to be part of a team and that the university encourages multilingualism and culturalism. She argues that this debate is important because it will help us to address issues such as student safety. The last speaker that addressed the audience was SASCO Chairperson, Nhlanhla Mthethwa. Unfortunately, Mthethwa was unable to continue his speech as the public refused to allow him to speak and chanted “pay back the money”. They claimed that Mthethwa was not representing them as SASCO. Later, Thabang Thebe, an acting chairperson, spoke to Wapad saying Mthethwa has two positions, namely one as chairperson of SASCO and the other at a regional position.
Thebe continued by saying that Mthethwa also does not have the interest of SASCO at heart but rather has his own agenda that was not discussed with the team. When asked to comment, Mthethwa declined saying, “This is a matter that needs to be discussed internally.” As the event progressed, there was an opportunity for questions from the public. Questions directed towards AfriForum Chairperson was if she has ever received interpretation services, to which she replied, “Yes, and it was very informative.” Another question directed to Wepener was why is it that an Afrikaner accent is needed to join PUKfm? Geldehuys from the DASO answered, “The requirements to join PUKfm is to either be fluent in English or Afrikaans and you need to have a voice that sounds nice on radio.” To end the debate, Smith concluded by saying, “There is a lot of work that still needs to be done on this campus and most importantly we need to listen to one another because then we will have an inclusive environment.”