AfriForum, AfriForum Youth and Solidarity approach court about the abolition of Afrikaans at University of the Free State

AfriForum, AfriForum Youth and trade union Solidarity today consulted with their lawyers following the decision taken on Friday by the Council of the University of the Free State Council that English would be the university’s only language of instruction and administrative language as from 2017.

Consensus was reached that the institutions would approach the court jointly to obtain an urgent application for interim assistance from the court against implementation of the decision until it has been subjected to scrutiny by the court.

Even before the decision AfriForum and AfriForum Youth had approached the university with lawyers’ letters requesting feedback about the fact that students who have enrolled for tuition in Afrikaans are already experiencing that classes are only presented in English. Such practice amounts to discrimination insofar as the students’ language rights are concerned.

The self-interest of current members of these institutions, of parents with children who are prospective students of the UFS, as well as any other students who wish to continue their university studies at the UFS in Afrikaans, are extremely important to these institutions.

The institutions are of the opinion that the removal of Afrikaans would be the end of transformation; it would be a prerequisite for the start of transformation. Therefore, this would actually lead to radical transformation and disruptions at the UFS. Without Afrikaans the university will also be without stability and these three institutions will do everything within their power to prevent such a situation.

Statement issued by Alana Bailey, Deputy Chief Executive, AfriForum, 15 March 2016