Pretoria - Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has set up an independent investigation to look into the events around a student drowning during an orientation event at North West University.
Thabang Godwin Makhoana drowned in a swimming pool at the Potchefstroom campus of the university on 21 January during what has been referred to by the university as a fruit festival which formed part of the student orientation programme.
Nzimande said the scope of the investigation will also look into the organisation and implementation of orientation programmes at the university.
"While we cannot harbor pre-conceived ideas about what could have happened during this event, which would lead to the tragic and untimely death of this young, brilliant person, we are nonetheless concerned that incidents which sound remarkably similar to what used to be the 'initiation ceremonies' at some of these institutions are taking place in 2012," said the minister.
Nzimande said that although he had read the university's statement and explanation of what occurred during the fruit festival, he was however, deeply concerned at the description of the organised event.
He noted that the description of the event and what had actually taken place was remarkably similar to former 'initiation ceremonies' which were often undignified, inhumane and discriminatory.
"While I support institutions of higher learning holding orientation programmes for their new students to assist them with settling into the university environment, I am extremely shocked and disheartened at the tragic death of a student during an organized social event," said the minister.
He added that he expected universities to ensure that all orientation programmes and social events organised on their campuses were humane, culturally sensitive and conducted with due regard to individual students participating.
The initiation practice at institutions of higher learning had long been condemned by the department, with the department even going as far as proposing that it should be abolished.
Nzimande said he trusted that the university management would provide all the necessary support to the department in conducting the investigation.
