Racism at Pretoria varsity revealed

PRETORIA -- Racism and racial discrimination existed at a number of Pretoria University residences, the SA Human Rights Commission has found.

In a report released yesterday, the commission said room allocations at some hostels appeared to be based on race, while some black students claimed they were not allowed to use recreational facilities.

The commission proposed that the university sever ties with the Dutch Reformed Church-owned Sonop residence, saying it was refusing to adopt the institution's affirmative-action policies.

The hostel has a population of 148, of which only one student is black.

The commission also suggested that facilities at the Karee residence, occupied only by black students, be improved. "Compared to the other residences, Karee is very poorly resourced," it said. "Apart from a TV room, there are no recreational facilities or a cafeteria."

It recommended an investigation into claims of racism and racial violence at the Boekenhout residence, where black students claimed they were not allowed to use recreational facilities. The black students also said they were harassed when entering the white section of the building, known as the Volkstaat.

"A meeting with house committee members left the commission in no doubt that there are racial tensions at this residence," the report said.

"The room allocation procedure is that students in a particular corridor choose who is to occupy a vacated room, and blacks do not apply for such rooms because they feel uncomfortable and unwelcome."

No signs of racism or racial discrimination were found at the Nerina, Klaradyn and Turksdorp residences.

The commission proposed that university management play a more proactive or regulatory role in the allocation of rooms and residences, which is currently done by members of house committees or student groups.

It also recommended that the current practice of appointing white house fathers or mothers to predominantly white residences and vice versa be reconsidered. -- Sapa