North-West University (NWU) Council announces steps to be implemented at the university

Institutional Office - During an extraordinary meeting of the NWU Council on Wednesday 5 March 2014, an action plan to address the recent reports on the alleged Nazi-style saluting by first-year students as well as alleged infringements of human rights flowing from so-called initiation practices, was agreed upon.

Council once again reiterated its stance that it will not tolerate any infringements of human rights, and regrets the fact that even though policies and procedures are in place at the university, it became evident that offensive practises did occur and there were indeed violations of human rights. Therefore Council unconditionally apologises and trusts that the measures which will be put in place, will prevent a reoccurrence of such incidents.

Council took note of and commended Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, rector of the Potchefstroom Campus and vice-principal as well as the Potchefstroom Campus Management, on the strategies already implemented on the campus to address the situation, especially of the fact that the internal investigation into irregularities that allegedly occurred in three residences was completed. The disciplinary process will now continue. It was however resolved that further actions are needed to protect the reputation of the university as a whole, and to take this process further.

It should also be pointed out that Prof van Schalkwyk had a constructive meeting with the chairperson of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) on Tuesday 4 March, and future collaboration has been agreed upon.

Council took note of the request by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, to the chairperson of the NWU Council, Mr Peet van der Walt, on 4 March 2014. The Minister requested Council to ensure that initiation practices are ceased with immediate effect. Council must also institute a thorough investigation into cultural, induction, orientation, initiation and demeaning practices, including acts of fascism and nazism, that seem to exist at the university under the tacit approval by the university management. The Minister requested feedback within three months.

To give effect to the Minister's first request, Council instructed the vice-chancellor as the accountable manager to see to it that all initiation practices, as well as any practice that may be construed as demeaning or an infringement of human rights, cease with immediate effect.

Secondly Council resolved to appoint a four-person independent team to investigate the welcoming and introduction of first-year students on all three campuses of the North-West University and to make recommendations in this regard. The names of these prominent persons within the South African society will be made known, once the individuals have been consulted with regard to their availability.

The four-person investigation team should, in line with the Minister's request, perform the following:

1. Institute a thorough investigation into cultural/induction/orientation/initiation and other demeaning practices, "including acts of fascism and nazism that seem to exist at the institution".

2. Determine whether these practices "exist under the tacit approval by the university management".

3. Determine the level of malpractices (initiation or "ontgroening") against first-year students and determine the effectiveness of mechanisms to prevent these from occurring.

4. Evaluate the respective welcoming and introduction programmes at all the campuses and do a benchmarking exercise to determine best practise nationally and internationally in this regard, with recommendations on possible restructuring or abolishment.

5. Determine the level of understanding of fundamental human rights in the student community.

6. Determine the understanding and importance of traditions in the student community and evaluate the content of the present traditions and the sustainability thereof.

7. Evaluate the institutional and residential culture to determine whether it is open and welcoming.

8. Consider the findings of the internal campus investigation of a committee appointed by the Potchefstroom Campus on the matter.

9. Determine, as posed in the minister's letter, whether there is a "culture of intimidation, harassment, fear and purging" at the university against staff and students who try to take a stance against such practises.

Given the time frame set by the Minister, the committee must report back to Council (or the Executive Committee of Council) by 22 May 2014.

The North-West University has committed to take action on the findings and recommendations of the report, by adopting a zero tolerance for any infringements of human rights or any form of initiation during the welcoming and introduction programmes and the rest of the academic year. It has also committed to strive for an inclusive, healthy and welcoming culture on all three campuses that would lead to an active and vibrant student life.

It is imperative that these processes are dealt with wisely and decisively by Council and management. It is also important that the envisaged process gathers momentum and is driven by the future leadership of the NWU.

Against this background, Council accepted the offer of the present vice-chancellor, Dr Theuns Eloff, to step down on 31 March 2014 to enable Prof Dan Kgwadi to assume his duties on 1 April 2014 (instead of 1 June). This will enable Dr Eloff to complete a number of tasks during March, while allowing Prof Kgwadi to take full responsibility and ownership as vice-chancellor for the processes described above as well as other strategic matters, such as the process to review the vision and mission of the NWU as already agreed upon during 2013.

During the coming two months, Dr Eloff will still facilitate the handover to Prof Kgwadi in respect of certain external stakeholders, such as donors, business leaders and alumni. The farewell functions for Dr Eloff on the various campuses and the Institutional Office, as well as the overall farewell function scheduled for 30 May 2014, will go ahead as arranged.

"The mammoth role which the outgoing vice-chancellor has played in making this merger a success, will surely go down in history books as one of the most applaudable interventions by a single individual," said Mr Peet van Walt. He added that 10 years ago a group of courageous people took a giant leap of faith when they established the NWU. Leading this group was Dr Theuns Eloff - the right man at the right time and place. During the past decade he inspired not only the internal audiences of the NWU, but also instilled confidence in the hearts of our external stakeholders such as alumni, business partners and peers.

Statement issued by Louis Jacobs on behalf of the North-West University Council, March 6 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter