University of Mpumalanga squashes xenophobia claims
Former Wits vice-chancellor calls on South African universities to resist what he describes as 'populist and xenophobic activists'.
The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) has dismissed allegations of succumbing to political pressure or xenophobic sentiment following the postponement of a seminar involving King’s College London Vice-President Professor Funmi Olonisakin. In response to social media posts by former University of the Witwatersrand vice-chancellor Adam Habib, UMP clarified that the decision to reschedule the seminar was due to scheduling conflicts, not because of Professor Olonisakin’s nationality.
The seminar, originally scheduled for September 3, 2026, was postponed along with several other major events taking place on the same day, including the inauguration of the Nokuthula Simelane Memorial Lecture and student election rallies. Professor Olonisakin decided not to participate in the revised schedule due to what UMP described as "circumstantial sensitivities."
The university expressed its hope to host Professor Olonisakin in the near future and encouraged those raising concerns to communicate directly with the institution. Habib had questioned the university’s decision, suggesting that it may have caved to "ministerial political pressure" amid the country’s political climate. He emphasized the importance of universities being cosmopolitan and global, advocating for academic freedom and resisting "populist and xenophobic activists."
Habib stressed that South African universities benefit from international scholars and warned businesses against giving in to xenophobic activists, as this could harm South Africa’s economic interests.
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