Stellenbosch University (SU) has issued an apology to students affected by the ban on Afrikaans in two ladies’ residences.
Stellenbosch University issues apology for Afrikaans ban
The university apologised “unequivocally” to all students in Minerva and Irene who felt their human rights and dignity was affected by not being able to speak Afrikaans in a social context.
“Although we have extensive training in place on the application of the language policy for student leaders, and we have reinforced that training already this year, we will continue to do so. At the same time, we are confirming our commitment to a multilingual, multicultural university which respects human rights and dignity and where all our stakeholders feel welcome, a move supported by SU Senate in its motion.,” the institution wrote.
The apology comes after the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) found the university guilty of violating the rights of Afrikaans-speaking students in 2021.
“The Commission is cognisant of the fact that, in the Western Cape in particular (as well as the Northern Cape), Afrikaans is the mother tongue of many rural and underprivileged people, particularly in the black and coloured communities …
“If SU is to open its doors to the more underprivileged in our society, and in particular the underprivileged youth, it must be borne in mind that, for many underprivileged and rural youths, these doors can only remain truly open if Afrikaans remains not only a reasonably practicable language of academic learning, but also a respected language of communication in other contexts within university life,” the report noted.
The SAHRC report, published in March 2023, was based on a complaint filed by Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen after some students complained that they could only speak English during their welcoming week in 2021.
The “English-only” policy was applied in all welcoming activities led by certain residences, and Afrikaans-speaking students were singled out during the welcoming week if they chose to speak Afrikaans.
The university said that it would enact extensive training on applying and implementing the language policy for all its student leaders. The DA welcomed the public apology issued by Stellenbosch University on Monday evening and will closely monitor implementation, including the proposed change to the language policy which they initially suggested.
The SAHRC report clarified that the residence policy did not apply within academic contexts, it was limited to the residences in question and their daily operations during the welcoming period of 2021.