SRC Statement about IAW & Pride Week

Date Released: Mon, 18 March 2013 10:26 +0200

Dear Members of the Student Body,

We as the Rhodes University Student Representative Council believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it and we acknowledge those who toiled tirelessly and fearlessly towards building a democratic and inclusive society.  

More importantly, we as the SRC express total intolerance towards any form of discrimination, dehumanization, violence, hate speech and homophobia. Under no circumstances will human degradation of any manner be tolerated. In upholding the values of our progressive constitution of South Africa 1996; we advocate human dignity, equality, non-sexism, non-racialism and we uphold the values of the SRC as an institution; of transformation, equality, diversity and last but not least constitutionalism.

We will promote the welfare and progress of the University community and enforce our rights and uphold our responsibilities; establish an effective, efficient, responsible, and responsive form of co- operative student government; encourage discussion and critical investigation of any issue at hand.

Having said, we must alert the student body that any student that infringes on the rights of others in this institution will be faced with disciplinary charges and second to that any student that negates the SRC Constitution, policy or student disciplinary code will be faced with the same charges. The bill of rights is the corner stone of our democracy in South Africa and the values entrenched in it shall be upheld and enforced.

In light of these values, there is a need for robust discussion around issues that have to do with the violation of human rights, for a more educative dialogue surrounding the richness in our diversity as an institution. This requires critical debate amongst the student body about issues of tolerance, understanding and embracing our diversity.  This is necessary in order to have a more conscientized Rhodes University community and a community that is progressive in its thinking.

Regards

SRC Rhodes University

Stephen Bantu Biko Building

Office of the Presidency