Stellenbosch University (SU) today (9 April 2021) received a memorandum from the DAK Netwerk. The memorandum relates to the University's revision of the 2016 Language Policy and specifically the position of Afrikaans that is of concern to the organisation.
Dr Leslie van Rooi, Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation, accepted the memorandum on behalf of the University. The memorandum was handed over as part of a march organised by the DAK Netwerk.
The organisers obtained prior approval for the march and liaised with the University and the Stellenbosch Municipality on the applicable protocols, especially as it relates to COVID-19.
At the event, Dr Van Rooi said that SU welcomes input and comments on the draft Language Policy. He added that he looks forward to working with interest groups in other ways to ensure the future of Afrikaans as a language of our country, and as part of a multicultural and multilingual university.
Commenting on the handing over of the memorandum, Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching (the Language Policy falls within his executive portfolio), said that there is huge interest in the revision of the University's Language Policy. “The University welcomes a diversity of opinions and viewpoints, and robust debate. It is clear that there are various interest groups that are interested in especially the position of Afrikaans as demonstrated by today's DAK Netwerk march".
With regard to the revision process, the University once again encourages all interested parties and individuals to submit input on the first draft of the revised Language Policy via the digital platform available on the language webpages: www.sun.ac.za/language or www.sun.ac.za/taal as this is the only formal channel that the Language Policy Revision Task Team will consider. Technical enquiries about the submission process can be sent to language@sun.ac.za .
The closing date for input on the first draft is 12 April 2021.
- Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, confirmed on Wednesday that he contracted COVID-19 and was not available to accept the memorandum as he was in self-isolation at home to recover. Other members of top Management are also isolating as part of the applicable protocols.
- Photo by Anton Jordaan
