An attempt to right the wrongs of former and current powers by removing hurtful symbols (e.g. of apartheid), social injustice and misrecognition and by remedying the harm that has been caused by these visual symbols through compensation with new visual symbols that allow for the inclusion of a variety of expressions, stories, identities and histories aligned with the restorative processes of healing at SU. (SU, 2021:7)
The 2015-2016 student protests at universities across South Africa foregrounded the need for the transformation, decolonisation, and Africanisation of the country’s higher education institutions. One way that Stellenbosch University has endeavoured to address these issues is with the Visual Redress project, whose aim is to change the visual landscape of the university’s main campus. This project, in alignment with the Visual Redress Policy (SU, 2021), focuses on the removal and/or contextualisation of sensitive artwork or symbols, the introduction of new visual symbols with African centrality as an outcome, updating campus signage, the naming and renaming of buildings or other spaces, and other such initiatives.
Visual redress is an important facet of the decolonisation and transformation of previously colonised and marginalised spaces. It strives to provide equity and spatial justice to change symbols and spaces of hurt and exclusion into welcoming, comfortable spaces for all.
This website provides information regarding various visual redress initiatives at Stellenbosch University. Here you will also find published articles and other materials about this topic.
Stellenbosch University. 2021. Visual Redress Policy.
If you are interested in learning more about the Visual Redress project, please send an e-mail to mbiscombe@sun.ac.za
