Leave to appeal reserved in court case of AfriForum and Solidarity regarding Afrikaans at Tuks

Leave to appeal in the court case of AfriForum and Solidarity against the newly accepted language policy of the University of Pretoria (UP) was today reserved in the North Gauteng High Court until the Highest Court of Appeal delivers judgement in the case of AfriForum and Solidarity against the newly accepted language policy of the management of the University of the Free State (UFS).

Both cases deal with the phasing out of Afrikaans as primary language of instruction at the two institutions.

The abovementioned decision is welcomed. Even though the cases of the two universities display differences, both are about the wider principles of vindicating language rights, the right to mother tongue education, as well as stipulations of the Constitution and other South African legislation in this regard.

The judgement in the UFS appeal case will identify important arguments and principles. By reserving judgement in the ruling regarding permission for leave to appeal in the UP case, an opportunity is presented to AfriForum and Solidarity to also update their arguments in the case and subsequently include it.

AfriForum and Solidarity will take any steps necessary for the protection and vindication of the rights of Afrikaans students to study in their mother tongue. Members of AfriForum Youth who study at the UP also observed today’s proceeding with great interest and once again emphasised that Afrikaans education is of great interest to them.