Campus spokesperson, Johan van Zyl, says the core business of the campus, including tests to be written by students and a graduation ceremony this afternoon, will not be affected by the planned march. Management has taken a stern stance to ensure that those taking part in the march do not disrupt campus activities.

Van Zyl says safety measures are in place. He says main gates in and around the campus have been closed, while strict security measures are in place to ensure only staff and students enter the campus. 

According to Van Zyl, the safety of staff and students remains a high priority. “Safety measures that were in place remain in place.” Police will be present and will closely monitor the situation. A court order granted on 28 February, which guarantees normal operations on the campus, remains binding.

Van Zyl says an advisor of Vice Chancellor, Dan Kgwadi, will receive the memorandum at the main gate of the university’s Institutional Office on the campus.

The Reform PUK group has indicated on social media that the mass march will start at 10:00 from Trimpark in town. The United Front said in a statement the march is against white supremacy at NWU, among other things.

According to the statement, the time has arrived to tear down the last bastions of white supremacy and Afrikaner arrogance. It states that events at the NWU and the University of the Free state (UFS) confirm Afrikaner dominance over black students and workers and that it has not been dealt with. A mass response is therefore necessary to defend those who fight for the emancipation of black people.

The march will be led by the Reform PUK student movement. Students and outsourced workers at the NWU are expected to march.

OFM News