PANSALB TO MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ALLEGED LINGUISTIC HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS LEVELLED AGAINST STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

PRESS STATEMENT   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

10 MARCH 2021, PRETORIA 

 

PANSALB TO MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ALLEGED LINGUISTIC HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS LEVELLED AGAINST STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY 

 

The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) has noted media reports on the alleged Linguistic Human Rights violations levelled against the Stellenbosch University by Afrikaans-speaking students. PanSALB will be monitoring the developments surrounding the allegations and the investigations thereof to ensure the observance of the constitutional provisions regarding the language practice within the University. 

 

“Our constitution provides clear guidelines regarding the language rights of all South Africans, and the basis of which is that no language should be discriminated against. Therefore, it is the constitutional burden of all to ensure that the multilingualism provisions of the constitution are not only observed but are actively activated in any setting, be it in business, education, formal or informal” said PanSALB Acting CEO, Mr Xolisa Tshongolo.

 

“The right to language is a basic human right, and as we rightly place concerted effort into ensuring the development of our indigenous languages and carving space for them in areas where they were previously excluded and not recognised, we need to be cautious not to alienate any language group in that process lest we falter in our quest to attain the goals set out in our National Development Plan to promote social cohesion and nation building” he added. PanSALB is aware of the recent Constitutional Court rulings on the Stellenbosch University’s Language Policy in which the court provided guidelines on avoiding linguistic discrimination while creating conditions for inclusivity. PanSALB is against linguicism and deliberate suppression of any language as that leads to the oppression of the speakers of the suppressed language.      

 

 

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Related Posts