Wilgenhof: The dark side of Stellenbosch University
After the 2022 uproar in which a Stellenbosch University student was caught on camera urinating on another student's premises, the higher education institution is holding its breath for a break, possibly in 2024. right.
But the Wilgenhof Mansion had other ideas.
University authorities discovered two secret rooms during a raid last month. The impetus was a 23-page report from a former Wilgenhof resident detailing punishments he suffered in 2022, including being forced to drink a toxic mixture of linseed oil and aloe crystals. Was. A liquid that “smelled like urine” was then poured on his body.
A crude drawing discovered during the raid depicts what appears to be a sexual assault.
It is unclear why this practice appears to be continuing despite previous investigations by authorities.
None of this is reassuring for parents who are sending their children to university for the first time, who may be assigned to Wilgenhof.
News24 education reporter Prega Govender writes in this week's Friday Briefing: Questions remain as to when the practice of initiation at the Institute was discontinued, and if it was discontinued at all. And why weren't these two secret rooms discovered sooner?
Wilhelm Verwoerth was at Wilgenhof from 1982 to 1986. We have included his open letter to Wilgenhoffer's associates. How upholding tradition led to modern storytelling and how he broke the cycle.
There is also a suggestion from Professor Deresh Ramjuganath, Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University.
He investigates how disturbing incidents that occur in some men's homes illustrate the dark and secretive side of housing culture. It goes against the university's values.
To gain further insight into whether Wilgenhof was displaying any characteristics of a cult, we asked Paul Joubert, a Master of Philosophy student at Stellenbosch University, for his perspective.
This week's Friday Briefing concludes with posts from former South Wales student and News24 journalist William Brederode and Dr Munita Dunn-Coetzee from the University of the Free State.
As with the latest events at the university, this week's issue is heavy, but we hope it will give you a deeper understanding of what happened.
The best,
Vanessa Bunton
Opinion editor.
Wilgenhof, cult wannabe
Immediate reactions to the Wilgenhoff scandal included shock and bewilderment that such a thing could happen in a university dormitory in this day and age. paul joubert Investigate the mansion through the lens of a cult for more insight.
No, Mr. Wiese, civility is not the first rule of Wilgenhof.
The Stellenbosch men's residence continued to preserve tradition at almost all costs.The reactions of Wilgenhof alumni to the “historical artifacts” in the Wilgenhof Archives Room made this very clear, they wrote. William Brederode.