EDITORIAL: Unam’s bias on political activity worrisome
On Friday, the University of Namibia (Unam) attracted negative headlines over its perceived partisan handling of political activities on its campuses.
In April, ahead of an evening event by students aligned to the Affirmative Repositioning movement, a rushed directive was issued, supposedly banning all political activities on campus. Historically, Unam has always allowed its students to indulge in political activity to the extent that is globally accepted on varsity premises.
But, in sharp contrast, the Swapo Party Youth League was allowed on Friday to parade through the university in full song and regalia, even marching in a mini convoy on campus. Their event proceeded uninterrupted to its full conclusion.
This partial application of rules damages Unam, our once vibrant university. Many of our current leaders, some of them Cabinet ministers, cut their political teeth in campus politics. Their character and civic traits were nurtured and hardened on campus without compromising the university’s image.
Elsewhere, political campus activities have led to successful campaigns such as the ‘Fees Must Fall’ movement and the removal of colonial demigod Cecil Rhodes’ statues in neighbouring South Africa.
The start of the movement at the University of Cape Town resulted in the emergence of a broader movement in other universities in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States to address black alienation within higher education.
Unam must look itself in the mirror in disgust. Their behaviour is a direct attack on free speech, influenced by the desperation to suck up to Swapo. The old liberal approach to freedom of expression, as we knew it, is dead at Unam.
In April, ahead of an evening event by students aligned to the Affirmative Repositioning movement, a rushed directive was issued, supposedly banning all political activities on campus. Historically, Unam has always allowed its students to indulge in political activity to the extent that is globally accepted on varsity premises.
But, in sharp contrast, the Swapo Party Youth League was allowed on Friday to parade through the university in full song and regalia, even marching in a mini convoy on campus. Their event proceeded uninterrupted to its full conclusion.
This partial application of rules damages Unam, our once vibrant university. Many of our current leaders, some of them Cabinet ministers, cut their political teeth in campus politics. Their character and civic traits were nurtured and hardened on campus without compromising the university’s image.
Elsewhere, political campus activities have led to successful campaigns such as the ‘Fees Must Fall’ movement and the removal of colonial demigod Cecil Rhodes’ statues in neighbouring South Africa.
The start of the movement at the University of Cape Town resulted in the emergence of a broader movement in other universities in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States to address black alienation within higher education.
Unam must look itself in the mirror in disgust. Their behaviour is a direct attack on free speech, influenced by the desperation to suck up to Swapo. The old liberal approach to freedom of expression, as we knew it, is dead at Unam.
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