The interventions sought to see parties guilty of racism punished for undermining the country’s collective efforts to build a culture of human rights that ensured human dignity, the achievement of equality, the advancement of freedoms, non-racialism, non-sexism and the supremacy of the constitution.
The commission said it received a request to intervene and deal with the allegations. It was of particular concern that two decades into the constitutional democratic dispensation, the nation was still grappling with challenges of racism and racial tension, even at its institutions of higher learning, it said.

Spokesperson Gail Smith said: “The commission regards the roles that institutions of higher learning play as being integral, and the commission has actively played its role in ensuring that these institutions play their role as fertile foundations for developing a human rights culture.”
In 2016, the commission released a report that emanated from a series of public hearings that looked into the nature of transformation in the country’s institutions of higher learning.

“The findings of the commission highlight a serious need for addressing transformation at institutions of higher learning.”
The commission was of the view that transformation was a central issue of concern at Unisa and any other institution of higher learning but it remained aware that this dialogue and debate needed to be held in an honest and robust manner that upheld a respect for human rights, Smith said.

Meanwhile, trade union Solidarity accused Unisa of failing to protect its employees against racism.
Deputy general secretary Johan Botha said that in January 2016, a law lecturer made the headlines when he poured his heart out against whites in a Facebook post.
One of the lecturer’s posts stated that he hated white people and that white people should go back to wherever they came from or alternatively go to hell, Botha said.
Although Unisa was initially shocked and expressed its disappointment at the incident, it only gave the lecturer a “serious warning” 10 months later, Botha added.

However, Unisa spokesperson Martin Ramotshela said the university was aware of the matter relating to racial tensions, which were at the College of Law. It had initiated the necessary interventions to address the challenge.
That included invoking the necessary internal investigative processes of the university, complemented by enlisting the assistance of the SAHRC to deal with relevant aspects, he said.
Once all investigations were completed, the university would ensure that recommendations emanating from them were implemented without fail.

Ramotshela said: “Matters that require the competence of relevant departments within the university are being addressed by those departments.
“In instances where we are of the view that an external body is required, we do enlist such services, as in the case of the SAHRC.
“Matters of staff discipline are between the university and the staff members concerned, and we do prefer not to deal with those in the media.
“However, in all instances, the university ensures that no matter is left unresolved.”
It was important to make it clear that the institution’s decision to intervene was driven by its goal to bring about a harmonious working environment in the college and across the university at large, he said.

Source: The Star