An Anti-initiation Stand:
Initiation is considered a violation of the principled position of Nelson Mandela University against this barbaric practice in any form and is absolutely prohibited. Initiation may also be considered a criminal act in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Initiation is defined as follows:
Any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by the University.
The term shall include but not be limited to, coerced participation of any kind, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual, and shall include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property.
For purposes of this definition, any activity as described in this definition upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with or continued membership in an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be “forced” activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding. Therefore, any student who causes or participates in initiation may be subject to appropriate University discipline and/or may be subject to criminal prosecution.
Students and others are encouraged to report incidents, and suspected incidents of initiation. Reports may be made to the Residence Manager or the Director of Student Housing (041-504-2403) or to the Nelson Mandela University Protection Services (041-504-2490).
Shuping Mpuru
Director: Student Housing, Living & Learning Programmes