A ministerial committee set up to investigate racism and discrimination at institutions of higher learning must speed up its work following a recent racist incident at the University of Johannesburg, the Independent Democrats said on Wednesday.
Spokesperson Khosi Mncedane said incidents of racism at formerly white universities are unacceptable.
”These incidents of racism keep coming up at the formerly white universities and this is unacceptable.
”These institutions need to urgently address the issue of transformation and racism on their campuses,” Mncedane said.
The Star reported that two first-year students’ rooms were trashed and the students were later assaulted.
In separate incidents, black students were called ”bushmen” and ”charcoal”, and a student’s cheekbone was broken.
Mncedane said it is unacceptable for anyone to damage the self-esteem and dignity of other students through violent, racist attacks.
”Do they know nothing about the history of our country? Or do they simply not care about the oppression of our people?” he said.
He said there is a need to ”instil in all South Africans, including young people, a new consciousness that will sensitise them to our history and the kind of behaviour that is expected of them”.
The communications department at the university said it will issue a statement on the matter. — Sapa