A university director who had faced calls to resign after he used the N-word in a video meeting will keep his job after students campaigned to get him sacked.
The director of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, Professor Adam Habib, had said the word as he explained that action would be taken against staff who use it.
But it sparked outrage among student at the university, who set up a petition calling for the removal, resignation or dismissal of Mr Habib within 31 days.
They claimed his actions were emblematic of the experience that black students go through at SOAS and accused the university of failing to address black students concerns.
Adam Habib N-word row: Probe clears former Wits VC of racism claims
Former Wits Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib sparked outrage after he uttered the N-word during a virtual meeting with students
Professor Adam Habib is returning for duty at SOAS University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) after an independent investigation found that his use of the N-word, during a meeting with students, did not make him a racist.
Habib started serving in his post as the institution’s director only in January, but just two months later, found himself at the centre of a racism scandal after students complained about him having used the N-word during a virtual meeting.
Zeblon Vilakazi installed as 16th Vice-Chancellor of Wits
Search Polity
Note: Search is limited to the most recent 250 articles. To access earlier articles, click Advanced Search and set an earlier date range.
To search for a term containing the & symbol, click Advanced Search and use the search headings and/or in first paragraph options.
With.
Clear Search
Sponsored by
Sponsored by
Zeblon Vilakazi as its 16th Vice-Chancellor and Principal at a ceremony on Thursday.
He was appointed as Vice-Chancellor and Principal on January 1, succeeding Professor
Adam Habib, whose term came to an end in December 2020.
Advertisement
Chairperson of the Wits Council
‘Adam Habib is no racist,’ says Thuli Madonsela and others
Adam Habib found himself at the centre of a racial storm after he used the n-word, during a virtual session with SOAS students and now the likes of Thuli Madonsela are standing by him
Former public protector, advocate Thuli Madonsela is one of several people who have come to Professor Adam Habib’s defence, in the wake of racism allegations which led to him being asked to step aside from his post as the director of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.
Madonsela, United States-based writers Justice Malala, Palesa Morudu and former chairman of the South African Human Rights Commission Barney Pityana, penned an article in which warned against Habib’s removal, saying this would lead to “the silencing of all voices.”
PHOTO: Denzil Maregele/Gallo Images, Beeld
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela, University of South Africa law professor Barney Pityana and two writers have come out in support of Professor Adam Habib.
They claim he is not racist after his use of the n-word landed him in hot water.
They demanded his reinstatement to his position at the London School of Oriental and African Studies.
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela, writers Palesa Morudu and Justice Malala, and University of South Africa law professor Barney Pityana have penned a letter to support Professor Adam Habib in his racism row.
They say that Habib, director at the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), is not racist.