Religion and Residences are both immensely tricky topics at Stellenbosch University. Let’s see what happens when they smash them together…

In the wake of last week’s “Dagbreek mock-exorcism” shenanigans reported in Stellenbosch paper Die Matie, the University is going to tackle the thorny issues around religion in the residences at an open forum tomorrow, according to a poster released today on their social media pages.

“Residence communities and religious practice: Where to in a scientific, democratic & constitutional community?” will take place on the University campus’ central square tomorrow.

Two academics from the University have been approached to anchor the discussion- one is the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Prof. Nico Koopman, and the other is the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Prof. Stan Du Plessis. Added to this, audience members will have the chance to add their voice to the throng, both live from the event, and on Twitter.

Dagbreek mens residence was in the spotlight last week as the issues of “religious culture” and “residence culture” collided.

What’s all the hoo-hah?

Last Wednesday, 2oceansVibe picked up a story off Stellenbosch University campus newspaper Die Matie that told of an incident in venerable mens’ residence Dagbreek where a first year student in need was allegedly prayed over in order to “drive demons out” before any attempt at getting emergency or professional help was undertaken. The student was later hospitalised for his condition, while the University put out a very diplomatic statement. Other than what was reported in the media, no official statement was made by Dagbreek.

Subsequently, student website Vryestudent published (Note: site N5FW, report in Afrikaans) what is allegedly a gag mail from Dagbreek Head Student Pieter Nel, in which the “broers” of Dagbreek are urged to choose between “truth-seeking” and “sensationalism” and are reminded that “true” Dagbrekers “praat nie uit nie” (don’t speak out– to the media, or externally, that is).

Tomorrow’s discussion is likely to be high octane, particularly when the audience get stuck in. This correspondent will most certainly be there, skinny grande Americano in hand, to soak up the vitriol holy incense atmosphere. Look for updates from 2oceansVibe around lunchtime tomorrow.

[Source: Stellenbosch University on Twitter, Die Matie (Archive), Myproperty.co.za, Stellenbosch University]