Flemish Government promotes Dutch language in South Africa

Through the Dutch Language Union (Nederlandse Taalunie), the Flemish Government is investing in the study of Dutch in South Africa. A Dutch chair is to promote our language there.

In the presence of Flemish Minister President Jan Jambon (N-VA), the Chair for Dutch was inaugurated on Monday at the University of Pretoria. Two lecturers will alternately be attached to a university in South Africa or Namibia, to teach Dutch and conduct research. In this way, the Dutch Language Union wants to promote our language worldwide.

It is no coincidence that the chair is established in South Africa, as the country is home to one of the most important centres for the study of Dutch outside Europe. More than 1,100 students study our language at eight universities in the Rainbow Nation. Slightly more than 13 per cent of the population still speaks Afrikaans, a subsidiary language of Dutch that originated in the 17th century, when the Dutch set foot ashore. Despite the strong affinity, knowledge of Dutch is declining, as those who speak Afrikaans quickly assume that they will also master Dutch. As a result, their knowledge of Dutch is often superficial. The new chair is intended to breathe new life into the study of the Dutch language.

The chair was inaugurated by Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon, who is currently on a working visit to South Africa, where he maintains political, cultural and economic contacts.

© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK: Flemish Minister President Jan Jambon (C) pictured during the inauguration of the chair 'Nederlands' during a diplomatic mission of the Flemish government to South-Africa, in Pretoria, Monday 04 April 2022.