Language conundrum in higher education institutions in South Africa: One step forward or two steps back?

Over the years, South African Courts have adjudicated on the status of English and Afrikaans in language policies of higher education institutions. This article reflects on the slow efforts by the South African government and higher education institutions towards the development and inclusion of languages indigenous to South Africa. Taking a textual analysis approach, the aim of this paper is to place emphasis on the need to develop and include indigenous languages of South Africa in the language policies of higher education institutions. The paper further seeks to contend that the inclusion of languages indigenous to South Africa will facilitate social cohesion and affirm restorative justice efforts given the historical marginalisation of black people in language and education. Building on a previously co-authored article addressing the use of indigenous languages in higher education institutions, this paper is limited to Chairperson of the Council of UNISA v AfriForum NPC 2021, the 2022 Commission of inquiry into allegations of racism at Stellenbosch university also known as the Kampepe Report, and the 2023 South African Human Rights Commission's Investigative Report into Allegations of Unconstitutional Language Practices at Certain Stellenbosch University Residences. The analysis presented in this paper will be grounded in transformative justice and a transitional justice framework.