Growing support for Habib over N-word controversy

SEVERAL senior South African and African academics have come out in support of embattled newly-appointed director of the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Adam Habib, over his use of the N-word during a webinar.

Stellenbosch University academic and former vice-chancellor of the University of the Free State, Professor Jonathan Jansen, said the controversy was ridiculous because the question that had to be asked was whether there was bad intent. Clearly, Jansen said, there wasn’t.

He surmised the context of the controversy was that a student had asked about an N-word used by a lecturer for whom there had been no consequence, and that Habib had pointed out it was unacceptable according to SOAS policy, asking for it to be brought to his attention