Professor Jansen rejects Beeld report

Professor Jonathan Jansen has categorically rejected a news report that said he claimed to be ashamed of South Africa, calling it an 'irresponsible recollection of what I said by people who were not there.'

"This is not what I said in my opening remarks to first year students. I did not say I am ashamed of South Africa; that is impossible. I did not say I would expel students for being angry. No, this is an irresponsible recollection of what I said by people who were not there i.e. the Beeld. The Volksblad is more accurate," Jansen responded.

The Beeld quoted Jansen as saying: "I'm ashamed of South Africa. It's an absolute disgrace that you can pass matric with a mark of 30 percent. [Education Minister Angie] Motshekga is making a giant mistake by boasting about the matric pass rate. It's an absolute disgrace."

The paper also reported that he said, "You all are my children, and parents should be strict. If you pick up a stone and throw it on campus, I'll expel you. If you hit someone, I'll expel you. If you're angry, I'll expel you. If you treat a woman disrespectfully, I'll expel you."