University of Fort Hare Rejects Xenophobic Disinformation Campaign
The University of Fort Hare (UFH) has vehemently denounced a xenophobic disinformation campaign circulating on social media, labeling it as "inflammatory," "misleading," and a "dangerous act of disinformation." The campaign, spearheaded by digital content creator Kommander Josh III, alleges that the university has been "taken over" by foreign nationals, particularly Zimbabweans and Nigerians, who are purportedly employed across various faculties, especially the faculty of education, at the expense of South African citizens.
UFH spokesperson JP Roodt categorically refuted these allegations, stating that they are based on outdated and distorted information deliberately disseminated to incite public hostility and xenophobic sentiments. He emphasized that the university’s actual staffing figures contradict the claims made in the viral post. "According to our most recent audited data, 81% of UFH academic staff are South African, while 19% are international," Roodt clarified. He further accused the content creator of fabricating a false narrative to fuel xenophobic prejudices.
Roodt meticulously debunked the claims made in the post, pointing out that most of the individuals named as foreign employees have no current connection to the university. "Of the 35 names mentioned, 12 people could not be found on university ICT records dating as far back as 2005. In addition, 14 either have retired or resigned from the institution," he explained. This directly contradicts the narrative that the university is currently overrun with foreign staff.
The university spokesperson underscored that recruiting international academics is not only legal but also a globally recognized practice, particularly in developing economies where institutions actively seek diverse perspectives and expertise to foster innovation. “There are no legal quotas restricting the hiring of international academic staff. Many emerging markets around the world strive for international academic representation of 10% to 15%,” Roodt stated. He positioned UFH’s international hiring practices within this broader context, highlighting the university’s commitment to global academic standards.
Furthermore, Roodt highlighted UFH’s recent efforts to strengthen its academic core through a large-scale organizational redesign launched in 2024. As part of this initiative, the university advertised 87 priority positions, and all 37 appointments made thus far have been South African scholars. An additional 59 posts are slated to be filled in 2025. Roodt emphasized that the university aims to align with international best practices by maintaining a 15% representation of international staff, further demonstrating a commitment to both local talent and global perspectives.
Finally, Roodt directly addressed the inflammatory accusations regarding international academics bringing undocumented family members into the country. He condemned these insinuations as untrue and incendiary, clearly stating that such allegations serve only to fuel xenophobic sentiment. He also refuted claims that international staff are "illegally employed," asserting that all academic appointments are conducted in strict adherence to South African labor laws. This comprehensive rebuttal underscores the university’s commitment to transparency and legal compliance in its hiring practices, while simultaneously condemning the harmful spread of xenophobic misinformation.
