Abstract

ELOFF, T.  and  GREFFRATH, W. N.. Die universiteitswese in Suid-Afrika: 'n bestekopname van huidige tendense en die vooruitsig vir Afrikaans. Koers (Online) [online]. 2016, vol.81, n.3, pp.1-9. ISSN 2304-8557.  http://dx.doi.org/10.19108/koers.81.3.2258.

The purpose of this article is the identification and analytical description of the most prominent political trends which are at present exerting an influence on the South African university sector, with specific reference to Afrikaans universities in the contect of higher education. The contribution has as its point of departure the theoretical concept of transformation, and the specific ideological application of this construct as it has become current in South Africa since 1994. The radical influence of this ideological vision of transformation on public institutions in South Africa is discussed, as well as the institutional and sociopolitical impact of this on universities. Against this theoretical background key issues are discussed which have an impact on the place and role of the South African university scene and the place and role of Afrikaans more particularly, including a survey of the position of Afrikaans in the higher education sector, an evaluation of the transformation of the higher education sector, the rational arguments and grounds for the retention and promotion of Afrikaans in the sector, and the reaction from the Afrikaans-speaking community to the marginalization of the language at universities. An evaluative future perspective is offered in which the retention of Afrikaans should be considered, with the inclusion of a consideration of activism, legal strategies and the promotion of Afrikaans by means of a private higher education institution.

Keywords : Higher Education in South Africa; student protests; transformation; universities.

        · abstract in Afrikaans     · text in Afrikaans     · Afrikaans ( pdf )