AfriForum Maties cleans statue; will protect their cultural heritage themselves

AfriForum Maties rolled up their sleeves to clean the statue of J. H. Marais themselves after it was vandalised yesterday. This action forms part of AfriForum Maties’ campaign to protect Afrikaans at the University of Stellenbosch (US).

“Protesters simply want to continue destroying the campus, but we will stand up for Afrikaans. We will take ownership for our cultural treasures and maintain and protect it ourselves,” said Bernard Pieters, spokesperson for the Maties branch.

AfriForum Maties also appointed a private company to protect the statue against vandals. Pieters also said that students cannot trust the University to protect the Afrikaans culture.  “It is clear that the University does not act against illegal, violent protestors. We will not allow our cultural heritage to be destroyed by students who do not know or value the historic background of our heritage.”

“The US betrays our cultural treasures and does nothing to protect them. Why do they stand back and watch while statues are being torched? It’s as if US Management does not want to act against disruptive people,” said Morné Mostert, AfriForum Youth’s National Representative.

University Management previously assured that action will be taken against students who destroy, burn down or disrupt academic activities. These seem to have been nothing but empty promises. 

AfriForum Maties invites other Afrikaans students to stand together and protect their culture. Join AfriForum Youth by sending and SMS with “Maties” to 32687 (R1 per SMS).

Issued by Morné Mostert, National Representative, AfriForum Youth, 18 November 2015