Stellenbosch University (SU) recently reached a decision to relocate students residing in Goldfields’ STAG residence. This is according to Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson, who said that the students will move to the new Walter Parry residence for the rest of 2025.
The decision comes after students who lived at STAG raised safety concerns about living in the facility, according to Thabang Malaza, the Goldfields residence primarius.
The move is planned to take place on Friday 15 August, according to Malaza.
The STAG facility at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Goldfields residence. The university has reached a decision to relocate students currently residing at STAG to the Walter Parry residence, according to Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson. PHOTO: Enzokuhle Sabela
“Everything about the place felt off when I moved there,” said Kamohelo Kokoana, a second-year engineering student at SU who lived at STAG last year. “I was shocked by the state of the place.”
“It is a very dangerous structure and it’s messed up to have students living in such a poor-quality building,” said Malaza, who added that there are 30 male students who reside in STAG.
‘Like a cardboard structure’
“The name STAG derives from the name of the company that originally built the facility in question,” said Viljoen, in correspondence with SMF News. “It was the first of its kind built on the campus in 2011 as an innovative form of building technology in student housing.”
“STAG was supposed to be removed after five years, because it had served its purpose of being a prototype for the two residences at SU’s Tygerberg campus [eNkanyeni residence and Huis Ubuntu house], but it was never removed and [is] still in operation, well over its lifespan,” said Malaza.
Students have raised safety concerns about living in the STAG structure. “Everything about the place felt off when I moved there,” said Kamohelo Kokoana, a second-year engineering student at Stellenbosch University. “I was shocked by the state of the place.” PHOTO: Enzokuhle Sabela
“There has been around five to seven years of communication with the Goldfields residence head and SU, and enquiries about STAG, but they were never fully addressed,” said Malaza.
“It is not a building or brick structure, it’s like a cardboard structure,” said Kokoana. “During strong winds in winter last year, the entire structure was shaking. It felt like an earthquake.”
‘A sense of fulfilment’
“Given the original aim linked to erecting the building, as well as its current condition, the university has reconsidered its suitability and has decided to activate a process to terminate the associated contract with the owners,” said Viljoen.
“As the outgoing primarius, knowing that they will be the last group of students to endure those terrible conditions gives me a sense of fulfilment,” said Malaza.
Standing inside [the STAG building] feels like the structure is sinking,” said Kamohelo Kokoana, a second-year engineering student at Stellenbosch University. “Whenever there are strong winds, the entire structure starts shaking and it feels like an earthquake.” PHOTO: Enzokuhle Sabela
Note: This article was updated on 16 August to correct a statement from Martin Viljoen indicating the condition of the building.