NWU gives tacit approval to “Kill the Boer” after failing to condemn chant months later

Soundbite: Yvonne Gerber (English)

Two months after AfriForum Youth called on the Vice-Chancellor of the North-West University (NWU) to condemn the singing of the “Kill the Boer” chant on campus, the University’s management is still silent. The youth organisation argues that the NWU is giving its tacit approval to these calls for violence.

On 6 June, AfriForum Youth requested Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, Vice-Chancellor of the NWU, to publicly condemn an incident in which this chant was sung on the Potchefstroom campus and to ban its singing on all the University’s campuses. To date, the University has not responded to this.

Students at the University have meanwhile expressed their displeasure with the singing of the chant. More than 9 000 university students have already signed a petition, launched by AfriForum Youth, in which the chanting is condemned. The youth organisation went through an application process to hand over the petition to the Director of Student Life, Dr. Corrie Rheeder, but this process has been delayed by the University for weeks.

According to Yvonne Gerber, Youth Officer for Development at AfriForum Youth, the NWU should not disregard its responsibility towards students or their right to a safe learning environment.

“The University has clearly stated its priorities, and it does not appear to be the safety or well-being of its students. Either the University condemns and bans the singing of the “Kill the Boer” chant on campuses, or the University approves of it and allow these calls for violence to continue. The decision should be simple. There is no need for a months-long investigation to reach a decision.”

AfriForum Youth will continue to put pressure on the University management to create a safe and inclusive academic environment for everyone on NWU campuses.