​Stellenbosch University (SU) is inviting interested parties to comment on the first draft of a revised Language Policy. The SU Language Policy (2016) is being revised during 2021 as part of the five-year revision cycle prescribed in the policy itself. Section 10 of the Language Policy (2016) stipulates that the policy “lapses five years after the date of its implementation" and that it “must be reviewed during its fifth year of operation". The current policy was implemented at the beginning of 2017.

The first public participation period starts on 20 March and closes on 12 April 2021. A second public participation process is planned for later this year. Comments related to the first draft of the revised policy can only be submitted via a digital platform available on the SU language webpage. link on the language webpage (www.sun.ac.za/language) will provide access to this submission platform. The first draft of the revised policy and link to the submission platform will be accessible from 20 March until 12 April 2021. Please note that no comments will be possible on the first draft on the submission platform after the closing date of 12 April 2021.

The SU Statute stipulates that the SU Council must determine the language policy of the institution with the concurrence of Senate and in accordance with section 27(2) of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No 101 of 1997, as amended). The revision process was initiated October 2020 by convening a task team, and proposing a timeline based on the University Almanac for 2021. The objective is to table a final draft Language Policy (2021) for approval by Council on 2 December this year.

Since the Constitutional Court in 2019 found the Language Policy (2016) to be constitutionally justified and the University's process in adopting the policy “thorough, exhaustive, inclusive and properly deliberative", the current policy has been used as the point of departure for the revision process. The revision will be informed further by, amongst others, the SU Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework 2019 – 2024 which has been adopted and implemented after the Language Policy (2016) was approved as well as the Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions determined in terms of section 27(2) of the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 (as amended). 

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