AfriForum hopes Jansen’s successor will promote respect amongst students and for Afrikaans
16 May 2016
AfriForum took note of the resignation of Prof. Jonathan Jansen as Vice Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS). The organisation expressed the hope that his successor will actively work towards the promotion of mutual recognition and respect among students on campus, as well as contribute towards the reconsideration of the position of Afrikaans as language of instruction on campus.
According to Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, various controversial statements made by Jansen about racial relations and Afrikaans education have increasingly lead to the polarisation of students on racial grounds and the fact that resistance has grown against Afrikaans as language of instruction.
“A new vice-chancellor and rector will have the opportunity to improve relations on the campus, to build bridges between student communities and to improve the value of Afrikaans and other South African indigenous languages, rather than promoting monolingual English education as the only option for academic excellence.”
AfriForum, AfriForum Youth and Solidarity will go ahead with their legal action against the UFS after the institution’s Council decided that English will be the default instruction language from 2017 onwards. Jansen’s resignation will have no influence on this matter.
Bailey however stressed that a rector fulfils a leading role at a university as regards the attitude towards languages, which may also influence the attitude of students, personnel, and council and senate members.
“In times when the future nature of universities is reconsidered nationally as well as internationally, universities need strong figure heads who promote academic freedom and excellent educational principles such as the promotion of mother-tongue education, without trying to be politically or ideologically complaisant. Hopefully, Jansen’s successor will take a strong stand and help take the University to new heights.”
Issued by Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO, AfriForum, 16 May 2016
