‘Citizen’ report damaging – UP

In a report headlined “UP defiant over language policy. Afriforum: Leave to appeal court ruling planned” published on page 6 of

The Citizen of February 10, University of Pretoria spokesperson Rikus Delport says the university finds the headline and introductory paragraph factually incorrect and damaging to the institution’s reputation.

The paragraph reads: “Despite a high court ruling to continue phasing out Afrikaans as a medium of instruction at the University of Pretoria (UP) from 2017, timetables for first year students showed Afrikaans classes.” Delport points out the university council and the senate passed a resolution to change the language policy last year. AfriForum opposed this but the courts ruled that “the language policy choice made by the University of Pretoria … signals a deep and sincere commitment to … be an agent in advancing social cohesion ...”

In January, AfriForum approached the court for leave to appeal and pending this appeal, the university cannot proceed with any implementation. The minister of higher education and training also needs to amend the Institutional Statute of the university before it can be implemented, but has indicated that no decision can be made pending the determination of the High Court review. The Citizen notes the university’s objections.