Judy Favish
Institutional Planning Department

"UCT is at a critical juncture in our history. I have been profoundly moved and shaken by the outpouring of anger and alienation of black students and staff. The campaign around the Rhodes statue has galvanised students and staff at UCT – and indeed in other parts of the country – around the need to accelerate the pace of transformation at universities in South Africa.

"Having listened to the views expressed by the staff and students at the assembly the other night, I believe that it is incumbent on the entire university to stand back, listen and reflect on what must be done to send a clear message that the entire university community has heard the pain and anger which has been expressed over the past couple of weeks.

"We all need to demonstrate by our actions that we want to move forward collectively to build an institution that values and affirms diversity, acknowledges our location in Africa, is representative of the demographic population of our country, and can play a meaningful role in promoting social justice in our country."

Read more stories from the April 2015 edition.