Cape Forum takes legal steps against Maties

The civil rights organisation Cape Forum on 10 March brought a formal application in terms of The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) against Stellenbosch University (SU). The application is about alleged incidents where linguistic diversity was prohibited in formal and informal situations at this university.

The PAIA application follows recent complaints as well as similar alleged incidents in the past at the institution. Currently, there does not seem to be an answer or solution. Therefore, it was decided to bring the application and gain clarity regarding the issue.

“Investing in the youth is an investment in the community,” says Bernard Pieters, Coordinator for Cape Forum. “Cape Forum has several focus areas, but the education of the youth is an urgent priority. Since Cape Forum supports equal opportunities, freedom of language association, expression and speech must be protected for a flourishing and stable society. Pride, self-esteem and self-respect cannot be cultivated in a society where minorities are oppressed and restricted to conform to a central ideology,” concludes Pieters.

Cape Forum supports linguistic diversity and recognises the role freedom of speech plays in a healthy and equal society. Therefore, it is paramount to find the origin of the allegations and not only debate the consequences.

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