Afrikaans-Only University’s Success Earns Praise Online, SA Calls for Other Languages to Follow Suit

• Akademia, a private Afrikaans-only university, is earning praise online for its continued success
• The university was established by the Solidarity labour union in 2012 and continues to grow
• South Africans praised the idea, calling on other unions to build African language-only universities

The success of an Afrikaans-only university in the country has caused a stir online.

Akademia, a private Afrikaans-only university, has achieved massive success since its founding in 2012. It was established by the Solidarity labour union, and only offered part-time distance learning and a study centre in Centurion at the time.

Akademia aims to expand its presence

Now, with two full-time campuses in Centurion and interactive centres nationwide, Akademia has further growth in mind.

The university's rise in popularity means that it is outgrowing its existing infrastructure. As a result, Akademi is constructing an R3-billion campus in Boschkop Road, Pretoria East.

Akademia also plans to launch a Western Cape campus for full-time students in 2026. Currently, the Western Cape has three part-time study centres in George, Paarl and Somerset West, but students in the province can now look forward to a full-time campus.

Read also

“Not with high school anymore”: Woman celebrates getting accepted into prestigious Wits University

South Africans weigh in on university

While the news of the university’s success attracted some negative comments, it also earned much praise.

Njabulo Wela said:

“Everyone else must learn from this instead of being bitter about it.”

Lehlohonolo Mokgata added:

“Education is not fashionable to our politicians. They would rather find ways for self-enrichment.”

Sudika Ragoonandan asked:

“What is stopping other language groups from building universities?”

Jason Cosmos stated:

“I fully support them. The freedom charter states, ' All people shall have equal right to use their own languages, and to develop their own folk culture and customs.’ So good work, Afrikaans community. You all did better work than the ANC government.”

Henry Harper said:

“So, the labour union Solidariteit built this university. Why isn't Cosatu building a university where studies can be done in native African languages? They are a much bigger union.”

Rodney Mathabatha said:

“It’s a good initiative. Guys let's not be negative for everything, that's a positive move. Empowerment.”

Read also

Botswana President questions South Africa's crime rate, Gauteng MEC unhappy but citizens say it's fact

Osborne Baloyi added:

“Their unions are building this school. We have the biggest unions, too, and they haven't done a dime for their people. Only hosting expensive parties and staying in luxury hotels. We are our biggest enemy and have the government too, but there is nothing to shine about.”

Phasha Russ said:

“I love how united they are. Unlike other races🤭.”

5 new universities to open in SA

Briefly News reported on 30 August 2024 that five new universities were slated to be created across the country in the next ten years.

Pretoria has been earmarked for three of the universities, and Hammanskraal, Faerie Glen, and Boschkop are all identified as locations.

Three of the new universities will be government-owned, while the other three will be private initiatives.

Source: Briefly News