University residences at SU have been targeted as spaces of gender inequality and for having problematic traditions. Image: Kara van der Berg
The anti-Gender Based Violence (anti-GBV) movement at Stellenbosch University has targeted residences, in their attempt to change what is believed to be a problematic culture in these spaces.
The Instagram meme page, SU Just Kidding, posted various stories to their page calling out residences – specifically Dagbreek, Eilgenhof and Metanoia (a mixed residence). MatieMedia spoke to the prims of these three residences to hear how they were responding.
“Men’s residences have contributed through toxic behaviours that have come from their traditions and activities, as well as their implicit and known values,” said Luke Waltham, a student at SU involved in the Stellenbosch anti-GBV movement. “The Anti-GBV movement immediately identified men’s living spaces as part of the problem.”
GC van Heerden, Wilgenhof prim, said that they were looking at changing some of their traditions. “I’m grateful for the movement because it shed light on a few things that we do that are perhaps questionable.”
Dagbreek’s prim, Peet du Plessis said that he could sense that the male residents didn’t know how they fit into the movement. “The whole movement was mostly driven by women and the LGBTQ community.”
The anger against Metanoia was due to allegations of sexual misconduct by one of their HK members. Leon Roussow, prim of Metanoia, stated that “There was an elected leader who was accused of sexual assault, the outcry came because none of that information was made public.”
Unlike men’s residences who were called out for their behaviour, Metanoia individuals were singled out for alleged sexual assault.
“That what was difficult about being categorised with the other residences. The thing is, the men’s residence have traditions and it’s historic. It is institutional and has to be changed.
“With us, your hands are tied when it’s an individual. The university policy doesn’t allow for one resident, like me or a HK, to just expel someone.”
All three prims stated that they struggled with participation from their respective houses in conversations about GBV. Both Dagbreek and Metanoia held critical engagement sessions that were poorly attended. Van Heerden said that a survey sent to Wilgenhof was answered by only a few residents.
Du Plessis said that “We did ask the house for their input, but there were people that didn’t understand why we were doing this.”
Van Heerden affirmed this. “It was difficult to talk to the whole house. The opinions are so far apart.”
Dagbreek held a week against GBV to show their support. “Me and the House Committee (HK) saw there was a need for specifically men’s residences to do something and start actively participating in the movement,” said du Plessis.
Van Heerden stated that he believes men have to talk about GBV and sort it out amongst themselves. “But your frame of reference should be right, so we have been talking to women’s residences to help us.”
On the quality of the responses from the residences, Waltham said that it was “a mixed bag overall”. “Some residences, like Huis Marais and Dagbreek, did not give a massive response in writing, but they have been showing in their actions that they want to do something.”
Du Plessis said that he was thankful to the anti-GBV group. “There was good collaboration, which will make it easier to bring about change.”
Infographic: Kara van der Berg