Maties could challenge aspects of SAHRC language report
The council of Stellenbosch University says it is taking legal advice on aspects of the South African Human Rights Commission’s report on language at its residences.
This leaves the door open for the university to possibly challenge aspects of the report.
The commission released a report in March following claims that there was an “English only” for students at residences during the orientation period at the start of the new academic year.
In a previous statements, Maties reiterated that the conduct set out in the report, which limited the speaking of Afrikaans at residences, is wrong and should never have happened.
“As the SAHRC indicated, the University’s Language Policy would not have allowed any student to be prohibited from speaking their language of choice in social circumstances,” Maties said in a statement.
“SU is currently taking Senior Counsel’s advice on aspects of the SAHRC Report after which it will respond fully to the report, but we welcome the SAHRC finding that there is not a ‘blatant and concentrated ban on Afrikaans inspired and motivated by a concerted effort from [SU] and certain individuals in management to eradicate Afrikaans from SU’,” the university added.
Maties has apologised to students in Minerva and Irene who were affected by the practice during the welcoming week in 2021.
“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,” the university continued.
“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.”
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