Verwoerd's grandson praises removal of plaque

28 May 2015 - 02:15 By Jerome Cornelius

"I grew up here in Stellenbosch, but never had the opportunity to attend this university. I passed it every day, but could never enter. But today is a wonderful day for us. These young people are making us free today." These were the words yesterday of ex-Stellenbosch mayor Willie Ortel, who helped vice-chancellor Wim de Villiers remove a plaque commemorating apartheid prime minister Hendrik Verwoerd.The removal came amid pressure from Open Stellenbosch, a student group formed in the same vein as UCT's Rhodes Must Fall. It was held at the Accounting and Statistics Building, formerly the HF Verwoerd building, and was attended by Verwoerd's grandson, Wilhelm Verwoerd.Verwoerd, who spoke of his own experiences in confronting his grandfather's actions, said he undertook a "journey of the heart".He told the crowd he had advocated in the 1990s that names associated with apartheid should no longer be allowed, which was met with applause.Ironically, it had been black South Africans who taught him to heal. "How do I listen, really listen, to the heartbeat of untransformed pain and the anger of mostly black citizens? I was told, 'In our culture, we respect our ancestors'," he said. He was taught that to respect his grandfather as a political leader rubbed salt into the woundsThe removal of plaque played a "small but significant healing role" in South Africa.The event was also attended by Rhodes Must Fall member Chumani Maxwele, who saw it as "equal to the removal" of UCT's Cecil John Rhodes statue. It showed "the students are willing to do what it takes to make sure the country becomes united".Former Stellenbosch student Jenashton January said the removal was long overdue. " I hope this is the beginning of real transformation."..

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