An article written by a former member of staff at Rhodes in the South African Jewish Report (SAJR) about alleged anti-Zionist tendencies at the university has caused a stir both in the print media and on social media platforms.
An article written by a former member of staff at Rhodes in the South African Jewish Report (SAJR) about alleged anti-Zionist tendencies at the university has caused a stir both in the print media and on social media platforms.
Former Student Services Officer in the Dean of Students division Larissa Klazinga's piece has drawn mixed feelings from old Rhodians and members of the general public, some of whom have expressed sympathy for Klazinga while others voiced disagreement with her statements.
Klazinga, who worked in the Dean of Students’ office for seven years, first fell foul of Rhodes during Israel Apartheid Week (IAW) in 2012, and then again in March 2013.
SAJR Online reported that Rhodes University had finally signed a settlement agreement with Jewish staffer Klazinga who, says her attorney Michael ‘Bags’ Bagraim, was “targeted for her Zionist affiliations.”
The amount paid was subject to a non-disclosure clause but was satisfactory, according to both Bagraim and Klazinga.
An extract from an opinion piece published on the Mail & Guardian's Thoughtleader website by Rhodes alumnus Gcobani Qambela reads:
"I am not interested in much of Klazinga’s article per se, but more the extent to which her story offers an important teachable moment about white masculinist racism, whiteness and privilege and how it is as harmful to white women as it is to black people. Klazinga’s story is a clear example of how it’s only when whiteness rejects them, that many white women start speaking out about exclusionary processes and silencing done by white men at predominantly white spaces like Rhodes."
Qambela's lengthy piece received over 20 contrasting responses. Commenting on the SAJR Online website, Kevin Paxton said, "As a Christian Zionist family farming in the EC we have followed this website and it's predecessor with great interest. My eldest son matriculates in 2015 and all four of our children were earmarked to attend Rhodes. Unless some serious changes are made, we will most certainly change our plans. Thank you for bringing this to our attention."
A response from Rhodes people will be made. Klazinga insists that resistance to #Israeli #apartheid is antisemitic & jihadist @afrikangrey
— Zackie Achmat (@ZackieAchmat) January 11, 2014
Interesting article on Larissa Klazinga, who has left Rhodes, and the pro-Zionist stance at the university. http://t.co/xo9Mrh3ymq
— Matthew Kynaston (@MatthewKynaston) January 9, 2014
YES! Cant believe they tried censoring Larissa RT "@Palediale_: @uMbuso_kaMaila have you read this? http://t.co/pN3MHgcTQJ "
— i-Azania Izwelam' (@uMbuso_kaMaila) January 4, 2014
Larissa's article about Rhodes saddens me. Especially what our deputy dean of students apparently said to her 🙁 http://t.co/IJlkA4f5E8
— IG:chock_chock (@KayMolope) January 4, 2014
Speechless. MRT @FCronje_SAIRR: Important story that reflects poorly on @RhodesUniversity but let them respond. http://t.co/DeXy8M5JUe
— Clive Simpkins (@clivesimpkins) January 6, 2014
