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Stellenbosch residents must stand together against inequality
Author: Corporate Communication / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie [Alec Basson]
Published: 19/09/2018

​The people of Stellenbosch need to reach out the each other in order to address the inequality that still exists in the town.

This was the gist of a panel discussion at a Heritage Function held at the Stellenbosch University (SU) Museum on the Stellenbosch campus on Tuesday (18 Sept 2018). Miss Renee Hector-Kannemeyer from Matie Community Services moderated the discussion which was hosted by SU and the Stellenbosch e-Bosch Heritage Project, and formed part of SU's Centenary commemoration.

The panellists were Mr Yeki Mosomothane from the Centre for Student Structures and Communities at SU, Mr Dennis Moss, an architect based in Stellenbosch, Ms Stephané Conradie, a doctoral student in the Department of Visual Arts at SU, and Mr Shirle Cornellisen from SU's Faculty of Theology.

In his contribution, Mosomothane said we still see inequality, poverty and a lack of services in certain parts of Stellenbosch.Heritage1-25.jpg

“We still grapple with a lot in this town. We have not really acknowledged the different Stellenbosch communities."

“It is important that people from Stellenbosch find each other. We are all entangled and that's a reality that we can't run away from."

Mosomothane said we need to ask ourselves how we can build inclusive communities in Stellenbosch.

He did mention that there are people who are doing good things in Stellenbosch but our collective efforts need to be heightened.

Echoing Mosomothane's sentiments, Moss said the inequality in an area like Kayamandi is in stark contrast to the abundance of opportunity elsewhere in Stellenbosch.

“You can't believe that is possible that we tolerate this in a constitutional democracy."

Moss said the people of Stellenbosch are separated from each other culturally, socially, economically and physically.

He added that we haven't yet succeeded in creating a sustainable future for the town.

Reflecting on the history of Stellenbosch, Conradie said she came to realise that there are a lot of things that residents of the town don't know about each other.

Focusing on inequality in sport in Stellenbosch, Cornellisen highlighted the need for accessibility to sporting opportunities, especially for children from historically disadvantaged communities.

“Businesses and the University should take a closer look at how they can invest in these areas," said Cornellisen.

  • Main photo: Stellenbosch
  • Photo 1:  Stephané Conradie, Dennis Moss, Yeki Mosomothane, Shirle Cornellisen and Renee Hector-Kannemeyer during the panel discussion.
  • Photographer: Anton Jordaan