AfriForum applauds US Council’s decision as victory for language rights
1 December 2015
AfriForum welcomed the decision of the Council of the University of Stellenbosch (US) last night, namely to remain committed to the university's language policy and plan adopted in November 2014, as a significant victory for language rights and academic freedom. The policy and plan provide for multilingual education and thus for the time being the decision brings an end to the efforts of management and pressure groups to make English the university's default language.
According to Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, the negative response of the pressure group Open Stellenbosch to the decision just reaffirms that the group does not have the best interests of students, language or even human rights at heart, but is rather carrying on a vendetta against Afrikaans and Afrikaans speakers.
“The Council’s decision promotes the rights of Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa first language speakers, as well as the speakers of other languages. It empowers the people of the Western Capeand provides for broad inclusion. In contrast, the insistence of Open Stellenbosch and others on English as default language provides for the promotion of the rights of first-language English speakers only, while the speakers of all indigenous South African languages are being discriminated against. It is unconstitutional and unacceptable.”
Bailey warned the public that the decision of the Council should not be seen as the end of the language struggle at the US. "There are still students and so-called academics who insist on English as default language. They will not abandon their efforts on behalf of English monolingualism easily, as they enjoy the ideological support of management and the authorities. Alumni, students,staff and the general public who feel strongly about the future of Afrikaans as language of instruction, should continue supporting campaigns against the Anglicization of campuses like the US, UFSand NWU," she urged.
Issued by Esmarie Prinsloo, Head: Media Relations, AfriForum, 1 December 2015
