Stellenbosch University (SU) is currently under scrutiny following the discovery of items at its Wilgenhof men’s residence that suggest potential cult practices. The university, located in Stellenbosch, South Africa, initiated an investigation after an audit of the residence’s spaces and amenities unearthed these concerning findings.

Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching at SU, announced plans for a thorough investigation. A team will assess the items and make recommendations for the next steps. This decision came after an internal bulletin was sent around the campus, alerting the university community to the situation.

The investigation aims to address the alarming initiation rituals for first-year students at Wilgenhof, known as “Nagligte.” These rituals include being subjected to intimidating acts and derogatory remarks. Other criticized practices at Wilgenhof include the “Vleisfees” (Meat Festival) and other events that have been described as humiliating and degrading towards new students. Reports indicate first-years endured hours in darkness, disturbing noises, and instructions to avoid eye contact with senior residents, known as “DK,” who were dressed in intimidating attire.

Further concerns were raised about Wilgenhof’s internal culture, including open-plan showers, non-lockable toilet cubicles, and restricted inter-year socialization. The presence of apartheid-era prime ministers’ pictures and a room known as “Hool 88,” with Neo-Nazi connotations, has intensified scrutiny.

This situation is not isolated to Wilgenhof. In May 2022, an incident at Huis Marais’s residence, where a white student urinated on a black first-year student’s study desk, sparked outrage and racial tension.

Stellenbosch University has faced criticism in the past for its handling of racial issues, and these recent events at Wilgenhof have only added to the concerns regarding the need for a more inclusive and respectful campus culture. As the investigation into these practices continues, the university community and the public await more details on the nature of the items found and the actions SU will take in response to these serious allegations.

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