Ann Eveleth
Privatisation has moved to the centre-stage of the transformation debate at the University of Durban Westville (UDW), precipitating a fresh crisis which has led to assaults and racial insults being hurled.
The black-dominated Students Representative Council (SRC), backing calls to privatise the Indian-dominated catering service at campus residences, has been accused of racism,assaults and death threats which led to the campus being temporarily closed. Campus was reopened
SRC pamphlets distributed on campus complained students were living in “hell” due to the “junk, dirty and expensive” food provided by the university.
The students said efforts to improve the quality of food had been in vain and demanded the immediate privatisation of catering services to a black-owned company chosen by the SRC.
When the Combined Staff Association (Comsa) opposed the move, arguing that privatisation would see 70 long- standing workers retrenched, Comsa negotiator and sociology professor Ashwin Desai was assaulted by unknown persons outside his home, who told him “Don’t return to campus. Privatisation will be implemented
Campus sources said the call for privatisation also took racial overtones at a weekend meeting of black students who chanted: “Go Indians go. Drive the Indians
University acting vice-principal Prof Humphrey Gowar said privatisation was an option being considered, but it was not the only solution to the food problem.
He said several other disputes were raging on campus, and all the stakeholders had agreed to the formation of a Conflict Resolution Committee that would seek
In a declaration of intent signed on Tuesday, the parties had also agreed to an immediate moratorium on any mobilising activity, including strikes and sit-ins, that would cause disruptions.