Thousands of disgruntled students from the University of Cape Town are expected to take part in a massive march today for the removal of the Cecil John Rhodes statue on the campus.
Their two week #RhodesMustFall campaign fighting for “institutional transformation” has reached Rhodes University venting on social media about perceived racism at the university.
The #RhodesSoWhite campaign which trended on social media on Wednesday was linked to UCT’s call for the removal of the UCT Rhodes statue.
UCT SRC president Ramabina Mahapa told the Dispatch yesterday that they would be joined by a number of other organisations during the march today.
These were the EFF, Nehawu, academics and some black consciousness organisations.
“It’s not only about the statues, but the university is not yet transformed and we need to transform it adequately,” he said.
He said in a statement that the statue of Rhodes was a constant reminder for many black students of the history of apartheid, racism, oppression and colonialism.
“Transformation should be felt in all aspects of the university, from the curriculum, to the diversity of students and staff and to the symbolism it reflects.
“The SRC, at its meeting on Tuesday, endorsed the call to have the Cecil John Rhodes’s removed. The decision was unanimous.”
He said the UCT SRC was in support of campaigners at Rhodes University.
“We are communicating with Rhodes University on a regular basis. We share similar concerns definitely, but we are still waiting for some development from their side and, from then, we are going to support them,” Mahapa said.
Rhodes SRC president Siyanda Makhubo said that in response to the racism debate on social media and in posters put on walls of Rhodes University, an emergency meeting was called to take place last night.
Top management from the university was invited to answer on what was being done to transform the “sheltered” university.
Makhubo said: “Currently there are talks that students would like to see the name of the university change from what it is today.
“We’ll ask management to respond to what has been raised from the student body.”
The three names that came up tops included Makana, Steve Biko or Robert Sobukwe University.
Not only were the students disgruntled about the “lack” of a name change, nor any change of architecture, they felt the university had turned a blind eye to the experience of black students on campus.
“We’ll be discussing the experiences that black students in particular are experiencing on a daily basis,” Makhubo said.
He said it was bizarre that some students could not afford basic textbooks, toiletries or transport to campus,” he said.
Black lecturers were also reportedly laughed at in class for their “black accent”.
Some of the posters seen on Twitter included: “#RhodesSoWhite You can pronounce Gert but not Radebe” and “#RhodesSoWhite You puke all over the bathroom floor in Res because you know ‘Mama’ or “Sisi” will clean it up tomorrow.”
Rhodes spokesman Zamuxolo Matiwana said the university’s top management would attend the student meeting. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Rhodes statue row rages on
Their two week #RhodesMustFall campaign fighting for “institutional transformation” has reached Rhodes University venting on social media about perceived racism at the university.
The #RhodesSoWhite campaign which trended on social media on Wednesday was linked to UCT’s call for the removal of the UCT Rhodes statue.
UCT SRC president Ramabina Mahapa told the Dispatch yesterday that they would be joined by a number of other organisations during the march today.
These were the EFF, Nehawu, academics and some black consciousness organisations.
“It’s not only about the statues, but the university is not yet transformed and we need to transform it adequately,” he said.
He said in a statement that the statue of Rhodes was a constant reminder for many black students of the history of apartheid, racism, oppression and colonialism.
“Transformation should be felt in all aspects of the university, from the curriculum, to the diversity of students and staff and to the symbolism it reflects.
“The SRC, at its meeting on Tuesday, endorsed the call to have the Cecil John Rhodes’s removed. The decision was unanimous.”
He said the UCT SRC was in support of campaigners at Rhodes University.
“We are communicating with Rhodes University on a regular basis. We share similar concerns definitely, but we are still waiting for some development from their side and, from then, we are going to support them,” Mahapa said.
Rhodes SRC president Siyanda Makhubo said that in response to the racism debate on social media and in posters put on walls of Rhodes University, an emergency meeting was called to take place last night.
Top management from the university was invited to answer on what was being done to transform the “sheltered” university.
Makhubo said: “Currently there are talks that students would like to see the name of the university change from what it is today.
“We’ll ask management to respond to what has been raised from the student body.”
The three names that came up tops included Makana, Steve Biko or Robert Sobukwe University.
Not only were the students disgruntled about the “lack” of a name change, nor any change of architecture, they felt the university had turned a blind eye to the experience of black students on campus.
“We’ll be discussing the experiences that black students in particular are experiencing on a daily basis,” Makhubo said.
He said it was bizarre that some students could not afford basic textbooks, toiletries or transport to campus,” he said.
Black lecturers were also reportedly laughed at in class for their “black accent”.
Some of the posters seen on Twitter included: “#RhodesSoWhite You can pronounce Gert but not Radebe” and “#RhodesSoWhite You puke all over the bathroom floor in Res because you know ‘Mama’ or “Sisi” will clean it up tomorrow.”
Rhodes spokesman Zamuxolo Matiwana said the university’s top management would attend the student meeting. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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