Dozens of students at North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom have marched defiantly through campus to condemn the recent defacement of a Pride flag mural.
On 9 September, an unknown individual spray-painted the words “F*ck the f*gs” and a white cross across the mural near the amphitheatre, also leaving what appeared to be their initials or signature: “by RH.”
The incident has sparked renewed concerns about religious intolerance and the safety and inclusion of LGBTQI+ students in the traditionally conservative university town.
Students Take a Stand
In response, the Campus Pride group organised a march on Friday to denounce the homophobic act and to show, in their words, “that we refuse to be silenced.”
Around 60 students and staff members gathered at the amphitheatre at 13:00 before marching across the campus. They sang and chanted until they reached the administration building.
“It was very positive and uplifting, but that didn’t undermine the severity of the situation,” said Martin Potgieter, a Master’s student who participated in the demonstration.
While most students responded with interest or support, some glared at the marchers and reacted negatively. Campus Pride Chairperson Thabi Radise noted: “The event was successful, [but several individuals] did try to be homophobic – they were showing us the middle finger.”
Calls for Action and Accountability
At the administration building, Radise handed over a letter of demand to the university, calling for “complete transparency” in the investigation into the flag vandalism.
“This is not an isolated event; similar incidents have occurred previously with inadequate responses from the campus administration. We will not tolerate continued opacity,” said the organisation.
The students also demanded that the university ensure full inclusion of LGBTQI+ students in all aspects of campus life, including the implementation of gender-neutral bathrooms wherever possible.
“Bathrooms for people with disabilities do not count as unisex/gender neutral bathrooms. Non-binary individuals on campus deserve their own bathrooms, where they do not feel unsafe, at risk, or as if they are using a bathroom that is not intended for them.”
University Response
The university condemned the vandalism at the time, repainted the flag, and promised to investigate the incident. However, the perpetrator has not yet been identified. MambaOnline understands that CCTV footage from the night of the defacement did not provide a clear view of the mural.
NWU media spokesperson Bertie Jacobs told MambaOnline that “the investigation is still in progress, but there is no news on catching the culprits.”
The Pride flag mural was previously vandalised in 2023, while in 2024, the university made headlines after a Christian student disrupted a first-year orientation session because it affirmed LGBTQI+ inclusion.
