By: Natasha Archary
Low-cost Irish airline, Rynair has been accused of discrimination by forcing South Africans to complete a test in Afrikaans.
Failing to do so will result in passengers not being allowed to board their flights.
The matter was brought to light by a disgruntled South African, living in the UK, Dinesh Joseph who was appalled at being asked to complete the Afrikaans test before he boarded his flight.
Speaking to Sizwe Dhlomo on Kaya Drive, from the UK, Dinesh shared his experience with the team.
His communication to Rynair, questioning the purpose of the form and informing the airline of its apparent discriminatory nature has gone unanswered.
“There was no explanation or warning given before my flight, or at the customer service desk, nor is there any mention of this on their website. That point of entry or permission to board my flight will be conditional on my ability to complete this test in Afrikaans. What is the purpose of this form? How does it prove my nationality or aid in any kind of security? Why do I need to prove my nationality to your airline over and above any other traveller?”
Dinesh Joseph accuses Rynair of discrimination after forcing him to complete a form in Afrikaans in order to board his flight
Dinesh explained that he had told Rynair staff that he was not fluent in Afrikaans and requested a form in English but was told it was the airline’s way of ensuring safety measures.
“I tried explaining that Afrikaans is not my first language and was told, ‘this is my country’s language so if I can’t complete the form or fail the test I will not be able to board my flight.”
Listen to the conversation on Kaya Drive:
Meanwhile, back home, the Afrikaans Language Board has slammed the airline’s test, saying it had major negative implications for languages in the country.
A spokesperson for the airline told the Financial Times that “due to the high prevalence of fraudulent South African passports, we require passengers travelling to the UK to fill out a simple questionnaire issued in Afrikaans. If they are unable to complete this questionnaire, they will be refused travel and issued with a full refund.”
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