Confusion about NWU Primaria is a bullying tactic to intimidate Afrikaans students

19 September 2022  

AfriForum Youth has confirmed that the Primaria of the Karlien Ladies Residence on the Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University (NWU) has simply come to an end, although the Student Campus Council (SCC) issued a statement on 14 September stating that the Primaria was relieved from her responsibilities. This follows after the EFFSC (Economic Freedom Fighters Students Command) made unfounded claims because the Primaria delivered an Afrikaans speech at the formal. The EFFSC demands that the Primaria, as well as other students from the residence, be expelled from the residence after a vague allegation of racism.

The youth organisation is concerned that the SCC is giving in to the EEFSC’s demands and that this incident is being used by the university and radical groups as a bullying tactic to intimidate Afrikaans students. AfriForum Youth therefore takes a strong stance against any bullying tactics that convey the message that there will be drastic, unfair consequences if a student speaks Afrikaans on campus.

“Unfortunately, this is the message that is now spreading among Puk students after confusion was sown about the Karlien Primaria’s apparent exemption because she delivered a speech in Afrikaans,” says René van der Vyver, spokesperson for AfriForum Youth.

AfriForum Youth will from now on keep a close eye on the situation and is ready to intervene if it escalates.

“There is a clear attack on Afrikaans on university campuses across South Africa. AfriForum Youth will step in to defend Afrikaans students whose rights and human dignity are being violated by this agenda,” concludes Van der Vyver.

Issued by René van der Vyver, Spokesperson, AfriForum Youth, 19 September 2022