This is according to the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University. Speaking to OFM News following the dismantling of the statue on Saturday, SRC President Katleho Lechoo says the removal of the statue not only signals a major victory for black students, but gives hope of a transformative institution. 

The statue has for years drawn much controversy, with students vandalising it during the height of #FeesMustFall protests, calling for its removal on campus. The SRC and other organisations have for years alleged the statue does not represent the values of the university and demanded that it be removed.

“As the SRC for the current term, we salute all student activists who dedicated their time to making sure that the space is decolonised. This is an incremental victory toward tarnishing what was a symbol and reminder of a quell past. We are happy and hopeful that many other objectives we are looking forward to will soon be realised,” said Lechoo.

OFM News at the beginning of the month reported that the University of the Free State confirmed the relocation of the MT Steyn statue to the War Museum in Bloemfontein was officially permitted by the Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Limakatso Mahasa, following months of negotiations.

The decision to relocate the statue to the War Museum was announced by the university’s Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Petersen, in November 2018 after the Council at the University resolved to relocate it to an area off-campus.  

The university in a statement now confirms the dismantling of the MT Steyn statue “comes after the Permit Committee of the Free State Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (FSPHRA) issued a permit to the university on 11 June 2020 to dismantle, store, and relocate the statue to the War Museum in Bloemfontein. As stipulated in the permit, the university subsequently submitted a Conservation Management Plan to the committee for consideration, which was approved on 17 June 2020”.

It is further confirmed that the university is in the process of finalising an agreement with the War Museum for the relocation of the statue. 

“The agreement protects both the university and the museum; it is not a contract or condition for the relocation of the statue, as this forms part of the provisions of the permit. The agreement should be concluded in the coming week, and the statue can then be relocated to the museum,” read the statement.

Lechoo says the struggle towards transformation at the institution, however, continues.

He adds they are of the view the relocation of the MT Steyn Statue has set a precedent that all administrations can follow as far as changing names of buildings, symbols and spaces at the University.

“We will continue fighting until a black student feels welcome at the University of the Free State,” said Lechoo.   

OFM News