Prof. Kgwadi receives memorandum re Afrikaans
Prof. Dan Kgwadi heard today that Afrikaans as language of instruction at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom campus is unnegotiable.
“This is where we now draw the line. We will not allow a hand-full of radicals to destroy and divide our campus.” These are the words of Hans Gildenhuys, chairman of AfriForum Youth’s branch at the NWU’s Potchefstroom campus.
Students steer away from other campuses that were historically Afrikaans, such as the University of Pretoria or the University of the Free State, to find a home at the NWU Puk campus – reason being that NWU Puk remains the last home where young Afrikaner students can receive an education in their mother tongue.
According to Gildenhuys, AfriForum Youth Puk rejects ReformPUK’s argument that the university’s language policy is being abused to discriminate against English students.
“Such a statement is one-sided and baseless. This small radical group of a mere 50 members is busy holding NWU Puk hostage,” Gildenhuys said.
ReformPUK presents Afrikaans as the enemy in order to keep the focus away from their true agenda. However, ReformPUK’s blatant racism only emphasises their agenda of destruction and division. Already in 2012, one of the leaders of ReformPUK, Tsholofelo Motlogeloa, has written on his Facebook page: “I hate white people with [a] passion n [sic] they must f***** go back 2 [sic] Europe”.
“We as Afrikaner students cannot allow the racist ReformPUK group to destroy a healthy university,” said Gildenhuys.
AfriForum Youth Puk demands that their memorandum with the following claims serves before the NWU Council:
- The rejection of ReformPUK’s memorandum;
- The preservation of Afrikaans as single language of instruction;
- The training of interpreters and the extension and upgrading of interpreting services;
- The preservation of a quality curriculum;
- The appointment of quality personnel who are fluent in Afrikaans;
- The preservation and protection of Afrikaner heritage;
- The transformation policy should not be forced upon students;
- The placement in residences should be based on merits;
- The non-postponement of examinations at the NWU Puk campus;
- The preservation of healthy student traditions to ensure healthy student life;
- The prosecution of Mr Motlogeloa for his racist remarks; and
- The rejection of ReformPUK as organisation.
AfriForum Youth Puk has spoken to a number of students who make use of interpreting services, and all these students were happy with what the university has in place to make English students feel at home at the NWU.
Issued by Hans Gildenhuys,Chairman: AfriForum Youth Puk, 30 October 2015
