HONORARY DOCTORATE TO BRAM FISCHER SANCTIONS NEW NATIONALISM AND RACISM

The Federation of Afrikaans Cultural Associations (FAK) herewith calls on the University of Stellenbosch to reconsider the award of an honorary doctorate in philosophy posthu mously to Advocate Bram Fischer. Although Bram Fischer fought for a non-racial de mocracy in South Africa, his support for Josef Stalin, one of the most violent dictators of the 20th century, unfortunately casts a shadow over Fischer’s legacy which can’t be reconciled with the ideals for which the University of Stellenbosch stands today.

The intense public reaction which has been forthcoming from especially Afrikaans ranks against the award, also shows clearly that the University of Stellenbosch runs the risk of sowing division rather than aiding reconciliation, in particular in its feeding community. As the motivation for the award rests on very vague arguments and Fischer is not an alumnus of the University of Stellenbosch, the impression is unfortunately created that the University is with this gesture aiming at currying favour with the government of the day, as has, unfortunately, also occurred under the previous dispensation, and for which Stellenbosch has already paid a high price. On top of this the government of the day is exhibiting an increasingly sharp-edged Afro-nationalism with the creation of a new racial elite as first object, and less and less tolerance for public criticism.

Thus the government of the day is increasingly neglecting the non-racialism and de mocracy with which Fischer’s name is associated, and does it practice exactly the ideology of nationalism against which Fischer was critical his whole life. With this award the University of Stellenbosch is running the risk of yet again sanctioning a racist, nationalist government.