Top South African university responds to Johann Rupert

Stellenbosch University has responded to a scathing statement from billionaire Johann Rupert and Judge Edwin Cameron regarding the potential re-election of Nicky Newton-King to the university’s council.

Newton-King has also responded to the comments made regarding her tenure as the chair of Stellenbosch University’s Council, saying her approach to the position was guided by the institution’s best interests.

The former JSE CEO also said she would not be making herself available for Stellenbosch University’s council as a donor candidate.

On Tuesday, 10 March, Cameron and Rupert released a statement urging the Stellenbosch University community not to re-elect Newton-King as its council chair.

In this statement, the two former Stellenbosch University chancellors claimed Newton-King’s tenure has been marred by “grave lapses of judgment”.

They specifically refer to Newton-King’s handling of the university’s Wilgenhof scandal, which led to an independent panel investigation reporting damning findings.

The Kriegler Panel found that Newton-King was an active or knowing participant in the surreptitious and contrived amendment of the De Jager report, which concluded that the Wilgenhof residence should be closed permanently.

“These governance failures are extremely serious,” Cameron and Rupert said in the statement.

“Ms Newton-King and the then Rector managed to persuade the majority of the then-council, in effect, to ignore or overlook the findings of the Kriegler Report. But they can be ignored no longer.”

“The future well-being and stature of the university indicate that Ms Newton-King should not be considered for re-election. This would risk undermining the progress made in repairing the damage done during her term as council chair.”

Cameron and Rupert claimed that Newton-King’s tenure as chairman was “marred by grave lapses of judgement and candour in governance”, saying this damaged trust in the council and the university.

They further alluded to university donors not supporting Newton-King’s potential re-election, saying the Stellenbosch University community deserves “new and transparent leadership with integrity”.

Now, Stellenbosch University and Newton-King have responded to Cameron and Rupert’s statement.

The response

In response to questions from Daily Investor, Stellenbosch University said it takes note of Cameron and Rupert’s statement. 

It referred to a statement released by the Stellenbosch University Council regarding the Kriegler report matter in December 2024. 

In this statement, the council adopted a motion which acknowledged that its vice-chancellor and chair had erred in not informing the council about amendments to the De Jager Panel report. 

“Council accepted that neither had acted ‘maliciously, or in bad faith, or with any intention of influencing the decisions made by Council related to Wilgenhof residence, and only did what they believed to be in the best interests of Stellenbosch University’,” it said.

“The motion was critical of the vice-chancellor sharing the De Jager Panel report with Chancellor Edwin Cameron. In Council’s view, this represented a “governance lapse” which should not be repeated.”

“Similarly, Council noted the chair’s apology for an error of judgment related to the non-disclosure to Council of the amendments that had been made to the De Jager Panel report. Council was critical of this lapse of judgment and urged the Chair to avoid a recurrence.”

Stellenbosch University told Daily Investor that the composition of its council is governed by the Higher Education Act and the university’s Statute, which set out the categories of members represented on the council. 

“Elections or appointments for these constituencies – including staff, students, Convocation members, donors and external public representatives – are conducted in accordance with the applicable election rules communicated when nominations and votes are called,” it said. 

“All such processes are implemented in line with the University’s governance framework to ensure transparency, accountability and appropriate stakeholder representation.”

Newton-King told Daily Investor that she has always regarded her responsibility as a council member to act in the best interests of the university and all its stakeholders.  

“While I am one of three council members elected by the donors, my approach has consistently been guided by this broader duty,” she said. 

“My discussions with donors have, in fact, indicated strong support for me. There are, however, also some donors who would prefer to be represented by someone else.”  

“In the circumstances, I decided not to make myself available for council as a donor candidate.” 

“Stellenbosch University is today extremely well-capacitated to execute on Prof Deresh Ramjugernath’s bold vision.” 

“It has been a privilege to serve my alma mater and to be part of Council guiding Stellenbosch University to this position.”