Deputy Minister for Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela today 14 February 2018 paid a visit to the Potchefstroom campus of North West University (NWU). The purpose of the visit was to receive an update on registration and recent incidences of alleged racial attacks.
During the visit Deputy Minister Manamela received a briefing from the Vice Chancellor, Prof Dan Kgwadi, University Management and student leadership on registrations, campus security and matters related to racism.
The issue of language as a medium of instruction was highlighted as it relates to exclusion and inequality. The University highlighted that it is functionally multilingual and outlined the interpretation services that it has instituted.
A representative of the South African Human Rights Commission also offered to work with the University on human rights education and building a human rights culture.
Deputy Minister Manamela reaffirmed that the North West University like any other public university belongs to all South Africans. He further reaffirmed that Potchefstroom being a non-racial campus of NWU is not negotiable.
Deputy Minister called on all stakeholders to use language as a platform to include and not be a hindrance for access to higher education and training.
"I am pleased with the relatively smooth registration process and efforts by the North West University to address transformational issues".
Deputy Minister committed that the Department of Higher Education and Training will continue to monitor the developments.
Enquiries:
Matshepo Seedat
Cell: 082 679 9473
E-mail: Seedat.M@dhet.gov.za
