[lg policy] South Africa: Mediators to plough new furrow at college

[Harold Schiffman]

Mediators to plough new furrow at college
Aphiwe Deklerk | 11 September, 2015 00:53
Fransman criticised Winde, saying he had ignored a letter sent to him in
July alerting him to the problems. File photo
*Image by:* Sunday Times
The Western Cape government has hired independent mediators to help
transform the troubled Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute.

This was revealed yesterday by Alan Winde, MEC for economic opportunities,
when he responded to questions by ANC leader Marius Fransman on what steps
had been taken to address "racial and language tensions" at the institution
near Stellenbosch.

Students at the college, which falls under the provincial department of
agriculture, clashed during a protest against its language policy two weeks
ago. Several were hurt.

"Independent mediators have been appointed to facilitate the transformation
process, diversity management training and conflict resolution involving
students, lecturers and the administrative personnel," said Winde.

He said his government took the situation seriously and a team from the
college council was trying to find a solution.

"The college council instituted a task team to engage with students and key
stakeholders to facilitate the development of a new language policy."

Winde said after the protest there was an agreement that lectures be
duplicated so students could choose to be taught in either English or
Afrikaans.

Fransman criticised Winde, saying he had ignored a letter sent to him in
July alerting him to the problems.

The ANC leader said there was no need to develop a new language policy for
the institution.

"What we require is the implementation of the constitution of this province
that talks about Afrikaans, English and Xhosa," he said.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2015/09/11/Mediators-to-plough-new-furrow-at-college

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