Wilgenhof: quo vadis, Willows?

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I've heard of the blacklisting of campus speakers and the toppling of statues as a result of cancel culture and by the woke brigade generally, but cancelling an entire “koshuis” must surely rank as a world first.

Yet this is what seems to be happening to the oldest and most historic men's residence in Stellenbosch.

A month ago, after a break of 50 years, I revisited Wilgenhof, or “Bekfluitjie”, as it was known to outsiders, my abode as a student in 1967 and 1968. The buildings – the main residence and the adjoining “old bachelors” – were unchanged as far as I could see, reflecting blinding white in the sun-splashed gardens. A senior student opened the gates for me, and as I stood in that great courtyard I seemed to hear ghostly voices in my ear ordering me once again to answer the public telephone: "Hoor hoe lui die telefoon ..." 

The benign amnesiac sponge of time ironed out the rough bits, and the years I spent in Wilgenhof were golden, bohemian days, and we were all student princes.

I was shown around the museum, with its neat collection of memorabilia, dating back decades, and the song sheets of the "Kraaie" – the choir expertly led in my time by Dawid de Villiers, who became a respected conductor in Germany. You can listen to the Kraaie on YouTube. They used to trawl outside the meisieskoshuise singing mournful love songs dating from the First World War. “Annemarie” and “Ich liebe dich!”. No doubt the girls shed many a tear.

So you may well imagine, as I ambled off after my pleasant visit to enjoy a bucolic lunch at the Lanzerac and treasure the memory of my excursion, that I was greatly taken aback by this week's news that the rector was minded to shut down Wilgenhof residence altogether.

Some mistake there, surely, I thought as I scanned the e-mail to alumni. But no – it seems the recent contretemps involving the “doop” was a bridge too far, and the only way to correct its corrosive effects would be to extinguish Wilgenhof “in murg en been” as they say, together with all its accumulated history, dating from its establishment in 1903, a year after the end of the Boer War. 

When I was billeted in Wilgenhof, this once most distinguished and ancient halls of residence, I endured the habitual rituals common to all first-year students. The objective, never concealed, was to wean us off the spoon-fed culture of high school and drum into us the need to think for ourselves.

To achieve this objective the Primarius (both the strongly liberal Frederik van Zyl Slabbert and Edwin Cameron had held this office) and his motley crew of “oumanne” resorted to techniques of ritual humiliation, conducted by the “nagligte” (“nightlights”), a gothically clad squad, swathed in Catholic Inquisition garb – pointed hoods and long cloaks. Their purpose, as I was always led to believe, was to reprise tropes of the Ulster Orange Order – the need on the part of the Protestants to be constantly vigilant and aware of “die Roomse gevaar”. The Afrikaners and the Ulstermen have a lot in common, of course – the history of the Cape was itself intimately forged by Europe's religious wars, and Calvin and Luther were the leitmotiv of the Afrikaner people, au profond

In the case of Wilgenhof, nothing if not wedded to ancient traditions, the trigger, in my day at least, was the anniversary of St Bartholomew's Night in Catholic France, when the Edict of Nantes was revoked and the Protestant Huguenots (except those who survived via flight to Calvin's Geneva, subsequently settled at the Cape and basically built the wine industry South Africa has to this day) were massacred. 

On the anniversary of St Bartholomew's Night, then, the “nagligte” would wake us first-year neophytes at around two in the morning and order us to march stark naked to the showers.

Only cold showers were allowed.

Afterwards, still shivering, we were ordered to dress in tracksuits and escorted into the quad. Here we were put through some physical tests, nothing too taxing, and the conclusion of which was accompanied by an instruction to stop whatever it was we were doing and "let go". Since I was blindfolded, and the outcome of letting go of the reassuring piece of rope I was clinging to was uncertain, I sensibly refused.

"No!" I yelled.

"I'm ordering you! Let go!"

"N-no," I stuttered again.

"You'll be OK," said the Primarius, shaking my hand, offering me a cigarette. "Remember, don't always do what you are told to do – you are not a papegaai (parrot)."

And in that very effective way was expunged the effects of high school and conscription army “brainwashing”, where the antithesis of independent action was required. 

University was all about having to think for yourself. I think I got the point.

I have no idea how the “doop” may have mutated in subsequent years, and clearly, recently publicised creativity in its application has been allowed to get out of hand – but to the point that the entire residence of Wilgenhof with all its long history should be closed down? It seems impossible that giants like Beyers Naudé, one of the most powerful anti-apartheid figures, himself a graduate resident of Wilgenhof, who clearly was not crippled by the “doop”, would simply be airbrushed out of history, in such a manner of speaking. Was Jannie Gagiano, a singular genius, and one-time resident of Wilgenhof, consulted by the powers that be? He is still going strong in his eighties and has written luminously about Wilgenhof. (He was, incidentally, an unforgettable tutor of mine.) Surely the present-day initiation ceremonies were adapted to the times of a changing South Africa? And if not, then why not?

Stellenbosch University is not alone in having had to adapt its “hazing”, as initiation is also sometimes called. But I'm not aware of entire university colleges being closed down and shut when things got out of hand. 

The role models for Stellenbosch University, namely Cambridge and Oxford, were not known only for their academic excellence, but also for their controversial initiation practices. These initiation rites, like those of Wilgenhof, were steeped in tradition, but also sparked considerable debate due to their extreme and sometimes humiliating nature.

At both Cambridge and Oxford these practices were primarily associated with exclusive student societies and clubs, particularly the infamous drinking societies. These societies, characterised by their secrecy and elite membership, used initiation rites to test the loyalty and resilience of new members. First-year students were frequently coerced into binge drinking, leading to instances of alcohol poisoning and other health risks.

At Oxford the Bullingdon Club was infamous for its hedonistic behaviour, while Cambridge had its own share of controversial initiation practices, which often included a mix of physical endurance tests and humiliating tasks. Students might have been required to strip naked, endure verbal abuse, or participate in degrading acts designed to test their mettle and submission to the group's hierarchy. These rituals were seen as a way to foster camaraderie and loyalty, but often crossed the line into psychological and physical abuse.

The secrecy surrounding these practices made it difficult for university authorities to intervene effectively. While some efforts were made to curb the most extreme forms of hazing, the entrenched traditions and the elite status of those involved often shielded these activities from scrutiny and sanction. Omerta. A conspiracy of silence.

The tension between tradition and the well-being of students highlighted the complex dynamics at play within these prestigious institutions, but today, as we know, initiation is carefully monitored by university authorities, by law, and has been for a long time.

Was this what happened in the relationship between Wilgenhof and the administration? The tension between secretive tradition on the one hand and the well-being of students on the other? Someone took their eye off the ball, it would seem.

In an important sense, certainly in the UK today, it is the students who have taken the initiative, not only in shaping initiation rites, but also in defining free speech. This has led to a clash with the university authorities, who have increasingly found themselves at the intersection of free speech debates and student-led cancel culture, particularly concerning campus speakers. Universities in the UK have a longstanding tradition of fostering open debate and the free exchange of ideas. This principle is enshrined in the Education (No 2) Act 1986, which mandates that universities must take reasonable steps to ensure freedom of speech within the law, along with their duty of care to students. Despite this, the rise of cancel culture continues to challenge these institutions to balance their commitment to free speech with the need to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

The key is a safe environment for all students, and as one understands it, this is what informs the universities’ stance towards hazing or the “doop”. Presumably Stellenbosch has the same legal obligation today, and one wonders if this authority would not be sufficient to enable control of the initiation process? Why close an entire residence?

.............
The key is a safe environment for all students, and as one understands it, this is what informs the universities’ stance towards hazing or the “doop”. Presumably Stellenbosch has the same legal obligation today, and one wonders if this authority would not be sufficient to enable control of the initiation process? Why close an entire residence?
...............

The University of Cambridge adopted a new free speech policy in 2020, emphasising the importance of tolerance and respect while affirming the right to challenge and debate different viewpoints. Similarly, the University of Oxford has upheld its stance on promoting rigorous debate and intellectual challenge as integral to its academic mission. But above all, these universities have a duty of care to their students, underpinned by statutory law. This is what has enabled them to reform their equivalents of initiation without the need to close down the university colleges concerned, some of them centuries old, where long tradition shaped the initiation process, as in the case of Wilgenhof.

These universities are moving with the times, and presumably their South African counterparts are following suit. Or at least one must hope so in the case of Stellenbosch. 

It is passing strange, therefore, that the rector of Stellenbosch has decided in the case of Wilgenhof that scope for reform is limited. He can be contemplating such a far-reaching step only because he thinks that the tenacity of the Wilgenhof traditions is accompanied by such an ethos of defying the authorities as to compel the latter to close Wilgenhof down, and that not to close it down would lead to some kind of an endless guerrilla war waged in the dark hours between hooded figures and hapless university monitors.

This is patently ridiculous.

.............
Perhaps the university authorities yet have time to reconsider such a far-reaching step and to rescue Wilgenhof from being airbrushed out of history.
..............

Perhaps the university authorities yet have time to reconsider such a far-reaching step and to rescue Wilgenhof from being airbrushed out of history. It is such an integral part of the fond university experience and memory of generations of students that some attempt, surely, must be made. If the alumni consulted had been made aware early on that such a drastic step was being contemplated, could the outcome of the panel investigation have been different?

Also read:

Wilgenhof: "Ontgroening help nie met moderne studente se uitdagings nie"

Oh! Doll, dear, you brokes my heart!

 

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Kommentaar

  • Die US is besig om alle tradisies, en saam met dit Afrikaans, stelselmatig af te breek. Hierdie is maar net nog 'n stap om daardie doel te bereik.

  • The arguments in this article are rather flawed. The University of Stellenbosch is not being closed down, only a residence is.

  • Lorraine Fourie

    So belaglik om Wilgenhof te sluit. Al was jou pa en oupa op die SR / huiskom van 'n koshuis verseker dit nie dat jy ook daar kan uitkom nie, slegs punte tel deesdae. Nou ja dan sit studente sonder Wigenhof-verbintenisse daarin en hou 'n wakende oog. Elke koshuis het 'n geskiedenis van vieslike aksies deur antisosiale, wrede en onopgevoede medestudente. Moet tog nie daardie 'can of worms' oopmaak nie!

  • Dit is jammer Dok Craven, inwonende hoof van destyds is nie meer met ons nie. Hy was erg daaroor dat alle tradisies (dooptradisie ingesluit) behoue moes bly. Hy sal in sy graf omdraai as hy moet weet van die huidige belaglike verwikkelings.

  • Onthou net, daai jare is ons op 17 of 18 oorlog toe... so ontgroening en tradisies soos die van Wilgenhof by die US of Reitz Kamerwonings by die UFS was 'n sondagskoolpiekniek...
    Dis 'n klein persentasie wat dit negatief ervaar - hoekom 'n hele koshuis vernietig daaroor?

  • Ongelooflik geskryf - myself het die "doop" op US beleef en deurgeloop, wat 'n lewenservaring....
    Kry studente so jammer dat so iets weggevat word sonder demokratiese stemming
    Ek kry sommer weereens heimwee van daai dae
    Baie mooi geskryf - Baie dankie

  • Die besluit om Wilgenhof te sluit is 'n totale oorreaksie deur die huidige universiteitsowerhede. Hulle moet hul energie en tyd eerder daaraan bestee om die US weer 'n instelling van akademiese uitnemendheid te maak.

  • Philé van Zyl

    Die logiese volgende stap na Wilgenhof: Maak sommer die hele Stellenbosch Universiteit toe.

  • Sinneloos! Weg met die verslag! Hoop die nuwe konvokasie staan vas om weg te doen met hierdie aanbeveling.

  • Ai, ek is jammer vir Wilgenhof, maar hulle het maar net hulleself om te blameer. Hulle moes saam met die tye verander het. Daar is nou geen salf te smeer nie.

  • riaan de villiers

    Hey, David my old hoolmaat in our first year in Wilgenhof, good piece! All that seems left to us is to sing, for the last time: "Oh Doll Dear ... You brokes my he-e-e-e-e-art!"
    Just one serious point: the investigating panel has used the pointed hoods of the nagligte to forge a connection between what one could call the Wilgenhof tradition or ideology with the extreme white racism of the KKK, and even Nazism. This is a cheap shot. In my time in Wilgenhof at least, there was no racist dimension to the 'Wilgenhof tradition' whatsoever. On the contrary, at least to a limited degree, it embodied a tradition of 'thinking for oneself', or the encouragement of free thinking, which even extended to politics. Indeed, it was in this period that the Wilgenhoffer Louis du Plessis, in a historic meeting of the entire student body, managed to sever its affiliation with the ultra-considerative Africaner Studentebond (ASB), which had dominated the student's representative council for many years, thereby ushering in a new moderately 'verligte' period in student affairs. No one in the hostel turned a hair. Also, in my time at least, the whole disciplinary system (i.e. the nagligte) was well controlled, and had no perverse or sadistic edge. Regrettably, this seems to have changed in the meantime, but it would be almost impossible to trace when this happened. The Wilgenhof system might indeed have reached its sell-by date, but let's not do this on the back of a convenient and oversimplified link to white racism.

  • Beste Nicolene, lees weer 'n keer my artikel, asseblief. Ek het nêrens gesê die universiteit word dalk gesluit nie - net die moontlikheid van die koshuis.

  • Great article.

    About a great institution.

    I spent five pleasant fulfilling years in Willows in the 70s.
    Those friends are still my friends.

    As a lefty Soutie from a private school, I was absolutely accepted once we had all gone through the doop. It made us all Willows boys.

    At a point I was one of only four or five Progs at Stellenbosch.

    My views were accepted and listened to and analyzed on the kwodbanke without threat or rancour.
    Because I was a Wilgenhoffer.

    We were encouraged to think for ourselves ~ not to be a Papegaai, as David wrote.

    Can that honestly be said about students who question the present world-view at Stellenbosch today?

    That they will be accepted and encouraged, and not victimized?

    I stuck the iconic poster of Che Guevara up in the eetsaal next to Strydom’s portrait.
    1973. An act of some bravado, given the times.
    (I was being ironic, and the grim facts of Guevara’s sociopathic inhumanity were not yet known.)

    That poster, now properly framed, was still up on the wall when I last visited.
    A measure of the continuing humour, heterodoxy and broadmindedness that is foundational to the Wilgenhof ethos.

    Now all that was good and happy about the Plek is being destroyed.

    I see at least one commentator thinks this is a positive, because the traditions are out of step with present authoritarian culture.
    That is the point of traditions. To hold fast on to that which is good and noble.
    Not to march in lockstep with every new idea.

    So certain of present rectitude ...

    Let us reconvene in forty years, and see how well today’s certainties have stood the test of time.

    Sweet would be my schadenfreude.

    And if you think they’re not coming for you, you haven’t understood Niemoller.

  • Thanks for your comment, Riaan. A sartorial comment if I may. Yes, I also saw the panel had drawn a somewhat puzzling link with the KKK costume; have they not confused this garb with the 16th century Inquisition pointed hood apparel that the nagligte affected in our day? As I said in my article I have no idea how the doop may have mutated over the past 50 years however, but I would be very surprised if its objectives were much different than Wilgenhof tradition demanded, namely independent thought.

  • Dis reg, Beyers Naude was 'n inwoner van Wilgenhof, maar ook Markus Jooste wat mooi geleer het om geheime te hou.
    In die goeie verlede het studente nie dronk uit 'n kamervenster geval, of gesterf omdat hulle in hulle koshuis in hulle eie braaksel verstik het nie. Selfdood van studente was amper onbekend. Teen hierdie moderne agtergrond is doopseremonies deur die universiteits owerhede verbied. Wilgenhof, aangevuur deur sy alumini, het hulle net nie daaraan gesteur nie. By Wigenhof het hulle na herhaaldelike waarskuwings gemaak net wat hulle wil.
    As oud-Wigenhoffers so erg is oor hulle skewe tradisies, keer niks hulle om 'n eie privaat koshuis te skep nie. Daar sal die universiteis owerhede nie tot verantwoording geroep word vir studente wat dronk gemaak word en uit venters val nie.
    Sluit die siek tradisies!

  • Ek verstaan nie dat 'n koshuis gesluit moet word nie. Dalk stel iemand belang om juis die gebou te koop weens ander belangstellings. As Wilgerhof gesluit moet word, dan moet alle Vrymesselaarspraktyke ook gestop word wat by opname gedoen word.

  • Frances Foress

    So much misunderstanding here. I speak as someone who has has access to letters written as late as 2016 by young men terrified of what will face them through nagligte events. Brutality is not interesting or defensible in retrospect by comparison with others' habits or words about independent thought. What independent thought, based in U Stellenbosch, led to 50 years of white Afrikaner support for the national party? It is true that closing a residence will do little. And it is clear that the idea that humiliating bullying young men as a way to initiate them into something someone else wants them to be is fully alive. No residence closing will take that away - the creepiness will just slide off somewhere else.

  • Rupert Worsdale old Simonsberger

    This was a failure of the University authorities and they should be “shut down”.

  • Louis du Plessis

    1 David, dis opwindend op jou raak te lees! Swimming in the deluge of recent articles and videos on Wilgenhof, I discovered this nostalgic piece of yours – the Kraaie, Annemarie, Nagligte, cold showers and of course the essence of Wilgenhof: "having to think for yourself".

    2 And then I saw your hoolmaat Riaan, underlining this "tradition of thinking for oneself", his reference to the struggle to reform the ASB, also his reference to me?! Wow!

    3 Of course, with my dad Otto who was there (1925-1927), then I (1966-1968), then my son Emile (2004-2009) – Wilgenhof is in my bloed.

    Sincere appreciation David. Die Plek sal oorleef!

  • Reageer

    Jou e-posadres sal nie gepubliseer word nie. Kommentaar is onderhewig aan moderering.


     

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