isiXhosa to form part of Stellenbosch University’s new language policy

It's been announced that from January, both English & Afrikaans will receive equal status at the institution.

CAPE TOWN - Stellenbosch University says the development of isiXhosa as an academic language forms part of its new language policy.

Earlier this week, the institution announced that from January, both English and Afrikaans will receive equal status at the institution.

Some students and academics have been vociferous in their calls for the language policy to be overhauled.

The university's Susan Van Der Merwe says the university wants to bring in other languages.

"The development of isiXhosa as an academic language has been hefty for a number of years."

She says, "We'll be increasing the use of isiXhosa in certain programmes, to facilitate effective learning in teaching and we're already providing basic communication skills courses for staff and students."