Yusruh Davids, newly elected Vice Prim’s room after the fire. VIDEO: Yusruh Davids.
In a communiqué sent out to all students and staff on Tuesday night, Prof Schoonwinkel, Vice-Rector of Learning and Teaching at Stellenbosch University (SU), announced that Huis ten Bosch ladies residence, which suffered major damage due to a fire last week Monday, will not reopen for the remainder of the year.
Prof Schoonwinkel wrote, “After investigations, the insurers advised on Thursday 15 August 2019 that due to extensive fire and water damage extending beyond the third floor of Huis Ten Bosch (HtB), the building would not be safe for habitation for the rest of the semester while repairs are made.”
The fire, which started around 19:30 last Monday had obliterated 8 rooms in the back section of the residence. Fortunately, all 164 students were evacuated, with only two students suffering minor injuries, according to Nikita Köhler, outgoing Primaria of HtB.
Huis ten Bosch fire captured by a student. PHOTO: supplied/facebook
“After the fire on Monday evening many of the HtB residents were offered temporary accommodation with friends and family for the night and only a few students had to be housed in Monica’s recreation hall overnight.
“Eventually 31 students were placed in University accommodation; 112 were allocated private accommodation (allocated to 4 housing facilities in larger groups of between 25 and 40 HtB students) and 13 students chose to find their own private accommodation,” said Schoonwinkel.
He adds that, by Sunday evening (18 August 2019) almost all students had moved into their accommodation for the rest of the semester.
“Because the university has given us alternative accommodation, we’re no longer together and it sucks, you build your identity around res and you have support groups in res, not only academic support but emotional support as well – if we’re all scattered all over campus you sort of lose your footing,” said Yusruh Davids Newly elected Vice Primaria of HtB, who lost all of her belongings in the fire last week.
Davids is one of 14 students who lost everything in the fire. The extent of the damage had not only affected the 8 rooms which burnt down but the building also suffered immense water damage which affected other students from surrounding rooms.
“We still trying to figure out who has lost what, we have a registry going, because it wasn’t only the 14 who lost property,” said Köhler.
She added, “The 14 students who have lost everything have been subsidized by the university and received money for their loss.”
“We’ve got a lot of donations from everyone else, the university has paid us an unspecified amount, and although I am appreciative of everything the university has done, the amount won’t cover all the damage,” said Davids.
Yusruh Davids burnt House Committee blazer will be archived just as other items were archived in the fire of ’83. PHOTO: Yusruh Davids.
The university is still uncertain as to what occurred that night with investigations still underway.
“At this point the cause of the fire is undetermined and the investigation is a matter for SU’s insurers.
“For the University our most important priority was to arrange emergency accommodation while finding suitable student accommodation for the rest of the semester, and liaising with faculties to grant HtB residents a brief academic respite for last week, as well as support with academic materials,” said Prof Schoonwinkel.
Schoonwinkel adds that, “the needs of HtB residents as a group have mostly been addressed, a few students are still being assisted with specific individual needs.”
With items, such as laptops, textbooks and academic materials which were lost during the fire, the university has also attempted to assist in getting students back on track.
“Some students have lost all their textbooks and notes in the fire or due to water damage. Faculties have been given the names of their HtB students, with the request to assist them on an individual basis according to their specific academic support needs,” said Schoonwinkel.
With the HtB community deeply affected by the incident the university has assisted in providing them with the necessary services they may need.
“The counseling services of the Centre for Student Counselling and Development have been on offer to all HtB residents since Monday last week, and group sessions have been scheduled for this week,” said Schoonwinkel.
A donation drop-off point was established at the Centre for Student Communities which is situated at 11 Bosman Street, Stellenbosch for those who wish to assist.
Contact the Centre for Student Counselling and Development’s 24-hour crisis service:
082 557 0880
Or contact ER24:
010 205 3032