By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Wits Press.
Former Wits vice-chancellor Professor Adam Habib has been suspended at his new job at the University of London after he used the N-word during a video meeting with students last week.
Habib is the director of the university’s School of Oriental and African Studies, a position he recently took over in January after leaving Wits last year.
He came under fire from students who were part of the video meeting and who took offence to him using the N-word, while locally the EFF has been calling for Habib to be fired.
In the video, it was revealed to Habib that someone had used the N-word to refer to a student, but Habib repeats the ‘N-word’ and and immediately after saying the word, a black man, who is part of the meeting, leans closer to the screen with a look of disbelief.
A white woman, shock etched on her face, also leans closer to the screen and puts her hands over her mouth.
In a statement, Marie Staunton, the chair of the board of trustees said Habib had agreed to “step aside” while the matter was being investigated.
“As a trustee of the board I have agreed with director Adam Habib that he will step aside while investigation takes place so as not to compromise the investigation.
“We are affirming that all actions set out in the board statement on Tuesday continue to be taken forward.
“We will continue to find ways to facilitate the mediated conversations and engagements – including with Adam – that centre the black community and SOAS Community broadly, in ways that do not compromise the investigation.
“Adam will step aside as of today ahead of the commencement to the investigation and until the end of the process, “said Staunton.
Professor Claire Ozanne, who is a deputy director, would assume the position of interim director during Habib’s suspension period.