Wits University decided to remove Mr Mcebo Dlamini as President of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) only after carefully considering the facts. We recognised that it would be a controversial decision but it was one that had to be taken
As of today, Mr Mcebo Dlamini is no longer President or a member of the SRC. The rationale for this has been articulated in a letter that was sent to all students a short while ago, and need not be the subject of this communication. However, I thought it appropriate to write to those of you who have engaged me and my colleagues through emails and social media to express your abhorrence for his statements on Adolf Hitler, his racist remarks regarding whites and his anti-semitism.
The University of Cape Town’s decision to board up and ultimately remove the statue of Cecil John Rhodes hopefully opens up the prospect for a more deliberative debate on race, racism and higher education. I would have hoped for a deep deliberative engagement before a decision on the Rhodes Statute was concluded but given the emotional climate, this was not really possible.