AfriForum hails ‘important’ Unisa language ruling
Lobby group AfriForum has hailed a ruling handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein on the language policy at the University of South Africa (Unisa).
The SCA on Wednesday ruled that the removal of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at Unisa was unlawful and unconstitutional.
AfriForum approached the SCA after the High Court in Pretoria ruled in favour of a language policy determining that English be the primary language of instruction at the institution.
The group’s Alana Bailey believes all multilingual universities need to take note of the ruling.
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"We think this is a very important victory, not only for Afrikaans students at Unisa, but for the principle of multilingual education which is very necessary for all South African universities.”
Bailey says they welcome it if Unisa decides to approach the Constitutional Court.
"We are hoping this it but if it goes to the Constitutional Court - which is the next level - then it also will be positive that the whole issue of language will be argued at that level.
"I think it'll be very good either way.”
Unisa says its legal representatives are still studying the judgement.