Stellenbosch University rector and vice chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers has slammed a protest, which broke out in a lecture hall at the university on Monday morning.

A student sent News24 a video of the disruption, saying the objections emanated from the university’s language policy and was led by members of the Open Stellenbosch movement.

“Since my inauguration in April I have confirmed the right of students to protest on more than one occasion, but provided that they comply with the processes and procedures applicable to all university entities,” said De Villiers.

“Students do not, however, have the right to disrupt any academic activities, infringe on the rights of other students to study or disrupt administrative processes.”

The university earlier this month announced it would focus on the “consistent and possible accelerated implementation” of its approved Language Policy and Language Plan.

This “evolutionary process” would include monitoring and corrective measures, and give appropriate attention to the needs of students who maintain that language implementation processes adversely affect their academic performance.

In the video, students are seen leaving a third year political science lecture hall at the university’s Arts and Social Sciences Building shortly after 09:00 on Monday morning. A handful started chanting.

De Villiers confirmed a sit-in also took place in one of the university’s administrative buildings.

An Office for Transformation is in the process of being established, and a Transformation Committee has been constituted.

On their Facebook page, hours after the protest, Open Stellenbosch called for an end to the t-option – where lessons are given in both English and Afrikaans.

“University management has ignored our calls for the transformation of the language policy, which should cater for the needs of all students at this institution. How are we supposed to get the degrees we are paying for if we don’t understand what is being taught?”

De Villiers said the students had no need to resort to mass action.

“Our management team is eager to engage with the student community at round-table discussions.

“I have extended numerous invitations to our students. At the beginning of this semester, various student groups received invitations to such a round-table discussion in August, and we envisage this as the beginning of a regular discussion forum.” News24