Wilgenhof: Stellenbosch University’s dark side

After the 2022 saga where a Stellenbosch University student was caught on camera urinating on the property of another student, the tertiary institution was more than likely holding its breath for a break in 2024. 

However, Wilgenhof men’s residence had other ideas.

University officials discovered two secret rooms during a raid last month which was prompted by a 23-page report from a former resident of Wilgenhof who detailed the punishment he endured in 2022, including being forced to drink a toxic mixture of linseed oil and aloe crystals, and having a liquid with a “urine-like odour” being poured over his body.

Crude drawings discovered in the raid depicted what appeared to be sexual assault.

It’s unclear why, despite previous investigations at the res, the practice appears to have been ongoing. 

None of this could be reassuring for a parent sending their child to varsity for the first time, who might be assigned to Wilgenhof. 

News24’s education reporter, Prega Govender, writes in this week’s edition of Friday Briefing that questions remain about when the initiation practices at the res stopped, if they stopped at all, and why these two secret rooms weren’t discovered sooner.

Wilhelm Verwoerd was at Wilgenhof between 1982 and 1986. We have included his open letter to fellow Wilgenhoffers, in which he examines how upholding traditions has resulted in the latest saga and how he broke the cycle.

We also have a submission from Stellenbosch University’s deputy vice-chancellor, Professor Deresh Ramjugernath.

He examines how unsavoury incidents in some male residences are indicative of a dark and secretive side to residence culture that runs counter to the values of the university.  

For more insight into whether Wilgenhof exhibited some characteristics of a cult, we asked Paul Joubert, a master’s student in philosophy at Stellenbosch University, to give his view. 

We end this week’s Friday Briefing with a submission from former SU student and News24 journalist William Brederode and Dr Munita Dunn-Coetzee from the University of the Free State.

Just like the latest incident at the university, this week’s edition is heavy-going, but we hope it provides a deeper understanding into what happened. 

Best, 

Vanessa Banton 

Opinions editor.