Rector thinks rules need not be followed

AfriForum Youth started identifying a pattern in Prof. Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-chancellor of the University of Stellenbosch (US), of attempting to bypass official processes time and again. The latest act to confirm this is his decision to introduce English as the only language of communication at the US.

“It is not the first case of Prof. de Villiers making decisions without taking university regulations into consideration. In October this year, the University had to restart the process of appointing the Students Dean because there had been irregularities. This week we saw how he made a unilateral decision without it having served before the University Council. Some council members only learned of his decision through the media. It is evident that he drives a political agenda without following the rules and regulations of the University,” said Morné Mostert, AfriForum Youth’s National Representative.

Moreover, Prof. de Villiers said in a media interview that he had consulted with AfriForum over the matter.

“That is absolutely untrue. At no stage did he consult with us; in fact, he deliberately tried to exclude us. We will ensure that our voice is also heard, however,” said Bernard Pieters, Spokesperson for Maties’ AfriForum Branch.

AfriForum Maties will request to Prof. de Villiers to hold a meeting where Afrikaans students will also be able to give input on the university’s language policy.

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