1 November 2024

Stellenbosch University (SU) convened an extraordinary meeting of Council on Friday 1 November 2024 to consider developments following the release to the media of the Chancellor’s affidavit alleging improper interference in the findings of the independent panel that was tasked to investigate the contents found during an audit of the spaces and amenities of the Residence and to report to the Rectorate on its findings and recommendations. (Click here to read the panel’s terms of reference.)    

The Stellenbosch University (SU) Council decided to refer the matter of the Wilgenhof Panel’s report for further investigation.  
Council tasked the Social and Business Ethics Committee ("SBE") and the Audit and Risk Committee ("ARC") of the Council to appoint and co-ordinate appropriate independent expert(s) ("The Panel") to investigate (1) the circumstances in which the Wilgenhof Panel report was changed, (2) whether the Executive Committee of Council decided at its 4 June meeting that Wilgenhof should be closed, and (3) whether the Chair of Council should have disclosed the Chancellor’s concern around the changing of the final paragraph of the Wilgenhof report to Council at its 24 June 2024 meeting. 

The Panel will present its findings to Council in time for its meeting scheduled for 2 December 2024, for Council to decide on appropriate action.   
Read the University’s full statement here. 

The outcome of the meeting was communicated via internal e-mail and the University's website.

October 2024

The decision to close Wilgenhof was contested by two stakeholder groupings, the Association for the Advancement of Wilgenhof Residents (AWIR) and the Wilgenhof Bond (or Wilgenhof alumni association) – seeking relief from the Cape High Court on divergent grounds.

AWIR sought an immediate interdict to halt the closure of Wilgenhof on the grounds that the current students living in the residence are the ones that will suffer the most should Wilgenhof be closed (with reference to their possible placement elsewhere in student accommodation, the perceived uncertainties and ramifications thereof etc).

As a second step AWIR also approached the Court to take the Report of the Wilgenhof Panel under review.  Similarly, the Wilgenhof Bond asked the Court to consider an application to take the Report of the Wilgenhof Panel on review with the aim of having it set aside.

To avoid long and arduous processes, the University Council and the Rectorate opted for a negotiated settlement with AWIR that will enable the University to proceed with the rejuvenation and renewal process of Wilgenhof – albeit in an amended form. (See the statement on the settlement agreement here.)
This means there is an agreement to accommodate Wilgenhof residents by shortening the period of closure to one semester and by allowing those students who wish to do so, to stay in the larger of the two new north campus residences.  (Read the previous communication in this regard.)

It is important to note that the settlement does not compromise on the crux of the Council decision, i.e. to close the residence in its current form and embark on a facilitated process towards a reimagined, renewed, and rejuvenated student community. 

16 September 2024

Stellenbosch University's Council took the decision, in terms of clause 10(3)(g) of the University's Institutional Statute at its meeting on 16 September 2024 to close the Wilgenhof men's residence in its current format and to replace it with a reimagined and rejuvenated male residence student community. A renewed residence intends to acknowledge the constructive aspects of Wilgenhof while making a decisive break with the unacceptable and secretive practices of the past, as we move forward in fostering an environment where all students can thrive, in a community that upholds the values of inclusivity, respect, and excellence.

30 September 2024

The Council provided reasons for its decision as published here, in reaction to a formal request to provide reasons in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000.

Claims were made that “the University, the Rectorate and management" excluded Wilgenhof students from all university and cluster events and activities since the beginning of 2024. This is not factually correct. With regards to their cluster: Wilgenhof was invited to participate in Cluster Athletics and the Victoria Cluster Jazz Evening, and they actively participated in the recent Victoria Cluster leadership caucus. Wilgenhof also had continuous access to cluster resources, for example the Victoria Hub.

Wilgenhof forms part of the Victora Cluster together with the residences Monica and Harmonieand the Commuter Student Communities Silene and Oude Molen.

Regarding other campus activities: Wilgenhof participated in, amongst other activities, the official University opening for newcomer students at Coetzenburg, the Dream Walk, the Welcoming Fair, Campus League Rugby, Campus League Soccer, Derby Week, Mollasse Sêr and SU Acapella.

After various facilitated deliberations in January however, student leaders in the Victoria Cluster (Monica, Harmonie, Silene and Oude Molen), of which Wilgenhof is part, decided that Wilgenhof will not take part in Cluster Day (the first Saturday of the welcoming period). The Wilgenhof leadership also participated in these deliberations.

In September, Wilgenhof participated in the annual cluster conversation for the Victoria Cluster (organised and facilitated by the Division for Student Affairs).

In July, members of the Wilgenhof house committee also participated in two community discussions in the Victoria Cluster.

Wilgenhof has received the lowest number of applications (from prospective students) of the male residences and co-ed residences with male rooms (Goldfields and Metanoia) over recent years. In total, over the past eight years (for the intake years of 2016-2023), Wilgenhof has received the lowest number of applications (from prospective students) for first, second and third choice. (In total 4 519 applications versus 13 173 applications for Dagbreek - the highest.) With regard to first choice, Wilgenhof was in the bottom three or four in recent years.

It is not correct that Metanoia receives “very little" applications from prospective students.

• The SU undergraduate co-ed residences (Stellenbosch) are Goldfields, Metanoia and Huis Neethling.
• The SU senior co-ed residences (Stellenbosch) are Lobelia, Concordia, Hui​s MacDonald, Huis de Villiers, Huis Russel Botman House and The Village
• The SU co-ed residences on the Tygerberg campus are Hippokrates, Meerhoff, eNkanyini, Huis Nkosi Johnson House and Huis Ubuntu House

Information on SU residences is available here.