Imitation Nazi posters cause outrage at Stellenbosch University

On Tuesday, social media was in an uproar as images of slightly edited Nazi propaganda posters were circulated online. The posters have been put up around Stellenbosch University purportedly by a group called “The New Right”, and state that a meeting will be held on the 11th of May to “Fight for Stellenbosch”

The edited images are sourced from the League of German Girls, the female section of the Hitler Youth and Nazi progapanda media. These posters are historically associated with white supremacy, anti-Semitism and white nationalism.

Stellenbosch University’s media liaison Martin Viljoen told the Daily Vox that the university was aware of the posters on campus and confirmed that there was an enquiry into booking the Gericke Library at that time mentioned on the posters, but that booking was not confirmed. Viljoen said that the university was currently investigating the matter, but was not currently aware of any group calling itself “the New Right”.

Liana Maheso, member of the Stellenbosch SRC, said they were currently meeting with the library management to investigate the matter – particularly on whether a meeting was confirmed for Thursday – to confirm the legitimacy of the event advertised.

There is uncertainty over whether “the New Right” is an actual group, or whether the posters play into a growing trend of trolling to manufacture outrage and instigate racial tensions. The university is no stranger to racial divisions, which were highlighted by the Open Stellenbosch movement, which called on management to foster inclusivity between students in 2015. Not to mention the time students proudly wore blackface and flaunted it on social media in 2014.

Featured image via The Kiffness on Facebook