Transformation is a concept that our lovely Natal University has strived over the years, particularly post-democratic elections, to make us believe is held in the utmost importance. It appears, however, that a pocket of academics within the university’s corridors of power either has a rather counter-transformation agenda that intends to frustrate the process of redress, or are determined to put the transformation agenda in abeyance if it means getting a credible black professor of academic distinction to head the university.
This surely does not only perplex the more than 50% of the selection committee members who voted for Professor Malegapuru Makgoba as vice-chancellor, but also confounds the more than 70% of the general university community (students, lecturers and general workers) who voted for Makgoba to become their vice-chancellor.
A few university professors, led by a very white executive cabal, have resorted to using a few ambiguous technicalities to benefit their personal agendas. They do this by demanding from a selection committee consisting of 30 members a two-thirds majority as a requisite for a recommendation to be made to senate and eventually council. The requirement does not offer any alternative in cases where the majority is less than two-thirds, creating a loophole vulnerable to exploitation by a few powerful individuals.
Such filthy, cheap tactics are, in fact, conducted amid confidence that the university community is backing Makgoba the university community and selection committee, plus a resolution of the General Students Council on further supporting Makgoba’s candidature. We are left with but one thing to conclude: that there is a serious organised counter-productive cabal within the executive and senate that still lives in the twilight of the apartheid era with its racist approach.
Also dumbfounding is the persistence of demotivating Makgoba’s candidature on two issues: firstly the Wits University saga that arose from the panel during his interview and, secondly, allegations that he attempted to stop funds from being channelled to the University of Natal Medical School. He gave a clear response to both questions.
It is appalling to learn of a plan by some members of senate not to send any recommendation to council on the issue of the vice-chancellor’s appointment. One foresees a situation where the chairperson of council coerces council to re-advertise the position, making it possible for a highly ambitious professor from the university executive to assume the position. Indeed we will decry an opportunity missed by our lovely institution. South African Students Congress and African National Congress Youth League, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg