Stellenbosch University agricultural science student Babalo Ndwayana received an emotional welcome from relatives when he landed at King Phalo Airport in East London on Tuesday.
Ndwayana, 20, trended on social media last week after a fellow student, Theuns du Toit, urinated on his belongings, including a laptop at the Huis Marais residence on May 15.
The incident sparked a racism and intercultural debate with many accusing the university of failing on transformation.
Du Toit has since been suspended by the university.
Ndwayana, a first-year student, has opened a case of malicious damage to property and crimen injuria against Du Toit.
Among the relatives at the airport were Ndwayana’s parents, Sibongiseni Ndwayana and Mkhuseli Kaduka, as well as his grandmother Sizwekazi Bethela.
Ndwayana, from Mdantsane’s NU 17, said he was happy to be home.
“It feels good to be back home and relax. The past few days have been so difficult for me.
“I really need my privacy now and to focus on the upcoming examinations.
“One of the reasons I wanted to come home was to have time to study in a peaceful environment.”
Ndwayana, whose return trip home was paid by the university, said he was overwhelmed to see his family at the airport.
“I am so emotional to finally see them.”
Kaduka, Ndwayana’s father, said: “It’s a relief seeing him come home after the incident. We appreciate that he will be with us for the next few days.
“It is great that he will be away from the unnecessary pressure created by this student.
“The university told us they were still investigating the incident and that the student was not contesting the charges put before him,” Kaduka said.
Bethela said she was grateful to see her grandchild.
“I cried when I was told about the incident. I was traumatised thinking about him.
“The difficult part was because he is studying far away from home.
“I sent him some messages and he told me he was fine but I could see from the texts that he was not.
“I told him to be strong and not let emotions overwhelm him.
“I was disturbed by that incident and as a result I lost concentration at work.”
Bethela’s friend, Nomntu Melitafa, a nurse, said: “Sizwekazi told me she was not all right, emotionally and physically. I gave her all the support she needed including praying with her.”
Kaduka said the Du Toit family had called him last week in a bid to arrange a meeting.
“We told them it was a little too late to do that. Let the law and the university processes run their course.”
In a statement, the university said it deeply valued respect, compassion, equity, accountability and excellence in all interactions and conduct.
“For this reason, the university leadership acted as swiftly as possible to uphold the protection of individual dignity and its culture of inclusivity.
“The cellphone video records an appalling incident at Huis Marais that is not acceptable by any standard.
“The alleged perpetrator was suspended from the university and excluded from Huis Marais, pending the detailed and swift investigation that is currently under way.
“While the investigation is receiving priority attention. It is critical that proper governance and procedures are followed for a decisive outcome which will allow for the full extent of the law as well as compliance with the university’s governance regulations to be applied.
“Permanent expulsion and/or criminal charges are possible outcomes based on the investigation’s findings,” the university said.
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