Three members of Convocation management resign
January 27, 2010 
4 Comments
Prof Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU), Wednesday afternoon expressed his regret over the resignation of Ms Sanette Nowers, Mr Johann Aspeling and Dr Michael le Cordeur from the Executive Committee of Stellenbosch University’s Convocation.
“The management of Stellenbosch University regrets the resignation of three members of the Executive Committee of the Convocation. It is clear to us that the issue at hand is not deep-rooted differences about the protection of Afrikaans. On the position of Afrikaans at Stellenbosch University the Management and the Convocation are in agreement. It is my impression that the resignation is related to the increasing tension about the manner in which the issue of Afrikaans is being handled by some members of the Executive Committee of the Convocation – a manner which impacts on the dignity of the Convocation and is harming rather than promoting Afrikaans. The Stellenbosch University management was indignant at the actions by the President of the Convocation at the annual meeting of the Convocation on 10 December and we lodged a complaint with the Executive Committee in December already. The University management has as yet not received a response to our letter in this regard. On behalf of Stellenbosch University and all our alumni, I would like to thank the three members for contributing constructively to the promotion of the University’s interests,” Prof Botman said.
Read the media release issued by Ms Sanette Nowers, Mr Johann Aspeling and Dr Michael le Cordeur here (Afrikaans only).
Dear Fiyin
The Convocation is an independent statutory body and this press release was sent to us. In order to put the Rector’s comments on the resignation of the three members of the Convocation into perspective, we attached the relevant press release. An English version of this press release was not provided. All official communication that is sent out on behalf of the University will always be in both English and Afrikaans. Should you want an English version of the press release, please contact Mr Johan Aspeling at jaa@sun.ac.za.
Warm regards
Liezl Scholtz (blog moderator)
Dear Fiyin
The Convocation is an independent statutory body and this press release was sent to us. In order to put the Rector’s comments on the resignation of the three members of the Convocation into perspective, we attached the relevant press release. An English version of this press release was not provided. All official communication that is sent out on behalf of the University will always be in both English and Afrikaans. Should you want an English version of the press release, please contact Mr Johan Aspeling at jaa@sun.ac.za.
Warm regards
Liezl Scholtz (blog moderator)
Dear Prof,
The issue of Afrikaans is a deep rooted issue and I think it is crucial for upper management at our institutions to boldly address the matter with leadership. As a student of the university and a soon-to-be alumni, I have a vested interest in protecting the dignity of our institution.
SUN is a world class institution however like any other world class organisation it is essential that we allow for change to remain on top (at least all our lecturers tell us that). All major educational institutions have had to undergo change (Oxford or Cambridge are not the same as they used to be in 60s).
We want SUN to be our institution, we want to own it and be proud of it. (ALL OF US)
It is unfortunate that we want to manage issues rather than face it head on. The reality about Afrikaans that nobody ever mentions is that it automatically sidelines other people. I am not talking about the intentions but rather the use of a language that is identifiable by a subset of the current and future student population.
I would really have wished for an english copy of the press statement made by Ms Sanette Nowers, Mr Johann Aspeling and Dr Michael le Cordeur- I HAVE BEEN SIDELINED.
Regards
Fiyin
Dear Prof,
The issue of Afrikaans is a deep rooted issue and I think it is crucial for upper management at our institutions to boldly address the matter with leadership. As a student of the university and a soon-to-be alumni, I have a vested interest in protecting the dignity of our institution.
SUN is a world class institution however like any other world class organisation it is essential that we allow for change to remain on top (at least all our lecturers tell us that). All major educational institutions have had to undergo change (Oxford or Cambridge are not the same as they used to be in 60s).
We want SUN to be our institution, we want to own it and be proud of it. (ALL OF US)
It is unfortunate that we want to manage issues rather than face it head on. The reality about Afrikaans that nobody ever mentions is that it automatically sidelines other people. I am not talking about the intentions but rather the use of a language that is identifiable by a subset of the current and future student population.
I would really have wished for an english copy of the press statement made by Ms Sanette Nowers, Mr Johann Aspeling and Dr Michael le Cordeur- I HAVE BEEN SIDELINED.
Regards
Fiyin