Body cuts funds for Afrikaans

2005-05-11 12:21

Johannesbrug - The Afrikanerbond (AB) has withdrawn funding for the court action of three Northern Cape schools over a decision by the province to enforce dual medium tuition.

Stoffel van der Merwe, executive member of the AB, said on Wednesday the organisation ceased its financial support as it believed the matter could be settled out of court.

The schools involved are the Kalahari High School, Seodine Primary School and Hoër Landbouskool Noordkaapland.

Problems arose at the three schools in February this year because the previously Afrikaans medium schools had to teach in English as well.

Van der Merwe said the AB reconsidered financing the case after talks with the African National Congress.

"It emerged (from the meeting) that there was a possibility to resolve the issue by negotiations," he said.

"There usually are bad feelings and bitterness after court cases and we would like to avoid that."

Van der Merwe said the possibility of a settlement had not existed when the AB decided to fund the case. The AB has thus far contributed R420 000.

The AB suggested a postponement to the schools for negotiations to be given a chance, but they opted to go ahead with their court action.

"It's not as if we have abandoned the schools," said Van der Merwe.

"We withdrew the funding because we could not negotiate and at the same time fund the case. We feel that the court case will not solve anything. This problem will remain unless we can find a mutually acceptable understanding to the problem."

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the three schools launched a fund-raising campaign last week to collect another R340,000 needed for their legal action.

None of the schools could be reached for comment on Wednesday.

The department and the schools were presenting their cases on whether the previously Afrikaans medium schools should be dual medium in the Kimberley High Court on Wednesday.

The matter was expected to be concluded by Thursday afternoon.

- SAPA