IS WSU REALLY A BLACK RURAL UNIVERSITY?

Walter Sisulu University is slowly becoming an epicenter of transformation as a more diversified student demographic stalks its corridors despite being poorly considered a predominantly rural University.

WSU is amongst historically disadvantaged universities that were established as non-white universities and were poorly funded compared to the white-only universities.

A former “Bantustand”, Mthatha is home to one of WSU’s biggest campuses that is now attracting more suburban students than previously recorded, despite the region’s history of segregation and stigma.

The WSU Faculty of Health Sciences which has a mandate to admit eighty percent Blacks, nine percent Coloured, three percent Indians, and eight percent White new matriculants seems to be the leading faculty in attracting students of different races to the institution.

First year Medical student, Naude Potgieter, said, “I never had any reservations about any South African university but had little knowledge of WSU and its academic programmes, achievements, and student culture.”

He further stated that he had an initially thought of being part of a minority group, but then the practical experience never made him feel that he is excluded from participation. He does not feel marginalised.

As the adage of old says, “as we shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us”, has proven true for WSU’s R85 million Faculty of Health Sciences infrastructure project.

The University’s medical school is amongst the top eight medical faculties in the world for problem-based community learning with the World Health Organisation saying that “WSU has set a benchmark for universities across the world.”

The Faculty of Health Sciences recruits qualifying applicants from all population groups in South Africa. This strategic intent resonates with ethos of social accountability and epistemological access for all.

Head of Selections and Admissions in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Mzukisi Kolosa, said, “The white and Coloured population groups are currently underrepresented in the current student cohorts. The Faculty continues to collaborate with other institutional arms to reach out to more prospective students in a quest for proportional representation.”

Another first year Medical student, Terizia van Wyk said she has not yet learned the university culture and campus life as they have been doing online classes mostly due to COVID-19.

“I think that is the big difference studying at WSU we have a lot of informed online mentoring classes and supportive lecturers with sufficient guidance to what is expected from us and what the learn where to be and where to go. The exam location is also well equipped for our needs. We have easy access to the grounds and the classes is well maintained with need laboratories,” said van Wyk.

She added that on a more mental note there is also free access to a Psychologist at the Medical School site, and Dr Kolosa motivates them to not suffer alone.

By Anita Roji & Sinawo Hermans