The SAHRC is set to investigate the high volume of complaints on the prohibition of Afrikaans as the primary language of instruction at Stellenbosch University.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) took to Twitter on Thursday, 25 March 2021, to circulate a statement confirming that it is set to investigate the prohibition of Afrikaans as the primary language of instruction at the Stellenbosch University (SU). The matter has been topical for the past couple of weeks, following the Democratic Alliance (DA) bringing the matter to the fore. The party visited the university to attempt to negotiate with management and have Afrikaans reinstated as the primary language of instruction.
Following the first meeting, it seems that SU remained unwavering in its stance on the matter. The DA then decided to take the university to court, created a petition, and continually highlighted articles expressing similar sentiments as the party. Evidently, the public and social media campaign has worked, as the SAHRC is set to investigate the matter.
According to the statement, “The ban has allegedly been enforced by prohibiting the use of Afrikaans in private spaces, including residences, bedrooms, digital platforms such as WhatsApp and even on park benches in front of students’ residences.”
See the post below.
Media Statement: South African Human Rights Commission initiates investigation into alleged prohibition of the use of languages at Stellenbosch University https://t.co/2HdDUwbCNj
— SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) March 25, 2021
Sabelo Makhubo
s.makhubo@politicalanalysis.co.za
