Question NW1065 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
25 October 2019 - NW1065
Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
(1) Whether he received an invitation from the Solidarity Movement to discuss their activities in the sphere of higher education and vocational training with him; if so, 2) Whether he is prepared to meet them on the matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether, with reference to his statement on 23 September 2019, (details furnished), he has found that the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction is a transgression of the Bill of Rights; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) Whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
- A letter dated 27 September 2019 was received from Solidarity requesting a meeting to discuss matters relating to the Sol-Tech College.
- I am looking forward to meeting and engaging with them and any other institution on matters relating to higher education and training.
I welcome the explanation and clarity provided in their letter that Sol-Tech as a private college is fully committed to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and all legislative frameworks pertaining to education and training in the country, and as such, rejects all forms of discrimination based on race. My Ministry will engage with them further as we have an obligation to make sure that no South African is denied access to any educational institution in the country based on race, language or culture.
3. The Department acknowledges and upholds Afrikaans as one of the 11 official languages of the Republic of South Africa, which is duly protected by the Constitution. However, any form of discrimination or exclusionary practice based on language will not be tolerated as it goes against the spirit of the Constitution and the imperatives of social cohesion and nation building.
4. The Department’s position is very clear and consistent over the years that in post-apartheid South Africa we will no longer have exclusive Afrikaans, Zulu or Xhosa institutions, but rather institutions, which are open to all South Africans that upholds the values of our Constitution.