Council rejects anti-transformation accusations

Stellenbosch University’s highest decision-making body, the University Council, last week dismissed accusations that it was against transformation after it shot down a proposal to adopt English as the main language of instruction at the traditionally Afrikaans institution, writes Bekezela Phakathi for BD Live.

"I want to state unequivocally that the university council fully supports transformation. The council stated that language should never be an obstacle to any student who wants to study at Stellenbosch University," Council Chairman George Steyn said last week.

Student lobby group Open Stellenbosch has been protesting against the university’s language policy, arguing that the policy "safeguards Afrikaner culture" and excludes black students. However, the council has adopted a motion which will effectively see English and Afrikaans being given equal status. This came despite support from the rector’s management team for the adoption of English as the primary language of communication and administration from next year.
Full report on the BD Live site