Theunus de Toit who was caught peeing on the possession of a black first-year student Bbalwa Ndwayana at Stellenbosch University in may 2022. Image: The Insight Factor shared via X @insightfactor.
(The Post News)– In May 2022, a white student at Stellenbosch University, Theuns du Toit, was caught on camera peeing by a Black first-year student, Babalo Ndwayana.
The incident, which occurred at the Huis Marais house, shook South Africa and rekindled long-running discussions about privilege, racism, and accountability in the nation’s universities.
The footage showed Du Toit going into Ndwayana’s room early in the morning and peeing on his study materials and desk. The conduct caused widespread indignation and was ostensibly motivated by racial animosity.
Du Toit allegedly said, “It’s a white boy thing,” in response to questions, defending his actions. The comment added fuel to the fire, further reinforcing public perception that the act was racially charged and deliberate.
The Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) of Stellenbosch University ultimately determined that Du Toit had violated multiple norms of conduct pertaining to property damage and human dignity. He was dismissed from the university, and when Du Toit tried to contest the judgement, the Western Cape High Court upheld it.
The university’s ultimate decision to remove him was praised, but many chastised it for not responding to Ndwayana more quickly or with sufficient backing. Students and professors staged protests on campus, calling for more effective anti-racism policies and systemic reform.
Despite being penalised and expelled by the institution, Du Toit has not been found guilty of a crime in a court of law. Delays and legal bickering have plagued his case, with his legal team contesting the university’s procedure and Du Toit’s purported racist label.
Beyond a single person’s behaviour, the episode revealed systemic racism’s underlying undertones, which persist in many South African institutions. This incident provided a sobering reminder that development is still lacking, especially at Stellenbosch University, which has a contentious racial past.
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