The facts

The Wilgenhof Residence has a total capacity of 206 beds. It is one of the smallest male residences for junior students out of 12 junior residences accommodating male students (including co-ed residences). There are 3 295 living Wilgenhof alumni currently on the SU database. It is not correct that Wilgenhof alumni or residents own the Wilgenhof property and buildings. The University is, however, aware that members of the Wilgenhof Alumni Association secured the registration of the name “Wilgenhof", as well as the domain name of the website of the Wilgenhof residence.

Participation of Wilgenhof residents in student activities in 2024

Claims were made that “the University, the Rectorate and management" excluded Wilgenhof students from all university and cluster events and activities since the beginning of 2024. This is not factually correct. With regards to their cluster: Wilgenhof was invited to participate in Cluster Athletics and the Victoria Cluster Jazz Evening, and they actively participated in the recent Victoria Cluster leadership caucus. Wilgenhof also had continuous access to cluster resources, for example the Victoria Hub.

Wilgenhof forms part of the Victora Cluster together with the residences Monica and Harmonieand the Commuter Student Communities Silene and Oude Molen.

Regarding other campus activities: Wilgenhof participated in, amongst other activities, the official University opening for newcomer students at Coetzenburg, the Dream Walk, the Welcoming Fair, Campus League Rugby, Campus League Soccer, Derby Week, Mollasse Sêr and SU Acapella.

After various facilitated deliberations in January however, student leaders in the Victoria Cluster (Monica, Harmonie, Silene and Oude Molen), of which Wilgenhof is part, decided that Wilgenhof will not take part in Cluster Day (the first Saturday of the welcoming period). The Wilgenhof leadership also participated in these deliberations.

In September, Wilgenhof participated in the annual cluster conversation for the Victoria Cluster (organised and facilitated by the Division for Student Affairs).

In July, members of the Wilgenhof house committee also participated in two community discussions in the Victoria Cluster.

Residence applications by application choice

Wilgenhof has received the lowest number of applications (from prospective students) of the male residences and co-ed residences with male rooms (Goldfields and Metanoia) over recent years. In total, over the past eight years (for the intake years of 2016-2023), Wilgenhof has received the lowest number of applications (from prospective students) for first, second and third choice. (In total 4 519 applications versus 13 173 applications for Dagbreek - the highest.) With regard to first choice, Wilgenhof was in the bottom three or four in recent years.

It is not correct that Metanoia receives “very little" applications from prospective students.

  • The SU undergraduate co-ed residences (Stellenbosch) are Goldfields, Metanoia and Huis Neethling.
  • The SU senior co-ed residences (Stellenbosch) are Lobelia, Concordia, Huis MacDonald, Huis de Villiers, Huis Russel Botman House and The Village
  • The SU co-ed residences on the Tygerberg campus are Hippokrates, Meerhoff, eNkanyini, Huis Nkosi Johnson House and Huis Ubuntu House

Information on SU residences is available here