Starting tomorrow (Thursday, 1 December 2016), the case of Solidarity and AfriForum against the newly accepted language policy of the University of Pretoria (UP) will be heard in the High Court in Pretoria.  In terms of this policy, English will be the primary medium of instruction at the university, which means that Afrikaans will be phased out as language of tuition.  Both of the above institutions are of the opinion that this policy amounts to a serious contravention of the constitutionally recognised language rights of Afrikaans students.

Solidarity and AfriForum will take all possible steps to ensure the protection and upholding of the rights of Afrikaans students to study in their mother language.  They have already won a similar case against the management of the University of the Free State this year and are ready for the court process which will start tomorrow.  Two days, namely 1 and 2 December 2016, have been reserved by the court for this case.

Date:                          1 and 2 December 2016
Time:                          From approximately 09:00
Venue:                       North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria

Alana Bailey
Deputy CEO
AfriForum
Cell: 072 728 4541
E-mail: alana@afriforum.co.za

Johan Kruger
Deputy General Secretary
Solidarity
Cell: 082 305 5381
E-mail: johank@solidariteit.co.za

Mariska Batt
Media Liaison Officer
AfriForum
Cell: 084 299 6928
E-mail: mariska@afriforum.co.za