UCT Vice Chancellor Dr Max Price has called on the students of the university to participate in the process surrounding the proposed removal of the Cecil John Rhodes statue present on the campus, Netwerk24 reported on Friday.

In a statement released on Friday, Price asked students who feel comfortable with the institutional culture at UCT to also participate, by “reading everything that is written” about the issue, and “opening themselves up to new ideas”.

“This period is very exciting for UCT. We look deep into our past and will build a new future. I believe that the university is in a position to take the lead in dialogue on transformation in higher education and even the country,” he said.

The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) also expressed its support for the Rhodes Must Fall Campaign in a statement released on Friday.

“The conversations we have to have can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it is our duty to make for a better future,” Price added.

A special sitting of UCT’s council will take place on April 8 to vote on the proposed removal of the statue.

If passed, it will require approval from Heritage Western Cape. News24