COMPASSION OVER CAMPUS PROPERTY DAMAGE

Mhlengi Khumalo

@into.mbiyakwakhumalo

 

The amphitheatre remains the heart of the North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus, acting as a central hub for student interaction and spontaneous campus culture.

 

However, a recent incident involving the destruction of property, and the arrival of emergency services on Thursday evening, 12 March, has left the student body reflecting on the resilience of our community. While official reports characterise the trashing of bins as an isolated event linked to a medical emergency, the visual aftermath serves as a reminder that our campus is a collection of human experiences, some of which are deeply painful.

 

 

Community and Compassion

 

University life often demands high performance, yet beneath the surface many students navigate immense personal pressures. When a public space is disrupted in such a distressing manner, it is often a visible break in the resilience we are all expected to maintain. As journalists and peers, we face a choice: do we focus on the damage, or do we look at the weight of the moment that led to it?

 

Ownership and Accountability

 

Louis Jacobs, Director of Corporate Communication, recently emphasised the university’s values of respect, accountability and responsible citizenship. While these are vital, true citizenship also includes the empathy we extend to those among our student body who are struggling. Taking ownership of our campus means taking ownership of our community’s well-being, ensuring that social hubs remain welcoming and safe environments for everyone.

 

If we want to claim “ownership” of our campus, we must take ownership of our community’s well-being. This means:

 

Checking in: Realising that the person sitting next to you in a lecture might be carrying a burden you cannot see.

Utilising support: Remembering that the emergency services and counselling structures are there for a reason.

 

Campus Support Resources

 

If you or a peer are experiencing a crisis, please utilise the following services:

Thuso (InGryp) 24-hour Crisis Line: 018 299 1777 (Building E14)

Student Counselling and Development (SCD): 018 299 2893 (Building F18)

SADAG NWU Student Crisis Line: 0800 128 431

Protection Services (Emergencies): 018 299 2211 (Building F17)

Higher Health 24-hour Helpline: 0800 36 36 36 (Toll-free) or SMS 43336

 

Moving Forward

 

The bins at the amphitheatre can be replaced. The glass can be swept away. What remains is the need for a campus culture that prioritises mental health as much as it prioritises the maintenance of its facilities. We hope the student involved finds the peace and recovery they need. For the rest of us, let this incident be a prompt to look at our shared spaces and each other with a little more kindness and a lot less judgment.

 

Edited by Simoné de Witt