Stellenbosch University (SU) has come under scrutiny following the discovery of questionable items at its Wilgenhof men’s residence.
Stellenbosch University accused of harbouring cult culture at Wilgenhof
The items, unearthed during an audit of the residence’s spaces and amenities, have exposed evidence of potential cult practices within one of the campus’s oldest men’s residences, Wilgenhof.
In response to these alarming findings, Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching, announced the university’s plan to thoroughly investigate the matter.
“A team of people will consider the items, and make recommendations to Executive Management regarding the appropriate next steps in dealing with this matter,” he explained in an internal bulletin sent around campus.
The recent developments at Wilgenhof have exposed the residence’s history of controversial practices.
An engagement between community members and Wilgenhof residents revealed ongoing practices such as “Nagligte,” involving alarming initiation rituals for first-year students.
These rituals include being subjected to intimidating acts and derogatory remarks, Also, Wilgenhof’s “Vleisfees” (Meat Festival) and other initiation events have been criticised for their humiliating and degrading nature towards new students.
First-years are reportedly made to endure hours in darkness, followed by disturbing noises and instructions to avoid eye contact with senior residents, known as “DK,” dressed in intimidating attire.
Wilgenhof’s internal culture has also been questioned, with open-plan showers, non-lockable toilet cubicles, and restricted inter-year socialisation reported.
The presence of apartheid-era prime ministers’ pictures and a room known as “Hool 88,” with Neo-Nazi connotations, exacerbated an intense level of scrutiny Stellenbosch University has, for long, fought to maintain its inclusive image.
However, recent events in other men’s residences only add further credence to the Wilgenhof cult scandal.
In May 2022, Theuns du Toit sparked outrage that towed racial lines after he barged into a black first-year student’s dormitory at Huis Marais’s residence and released a flood of urine on his study desk.
Stellenbosch University has previously faced criticism for its handling of racial issues, sparking debates about the need for more inclusive and respectful campus cultures.
As the investigation into Wilgenhof’s practices continues, the university community and the broader public await further details on the nature of the items found and the steps SU will take to address these serious allegations.