Rynair accused of discrimination for enforcing Afrikaans test for SA

Rynair, a low-cost Irish airline, has been accused of discrimination after requiring South Africans to complete an Afrikaans test.

Passengers will not be permitted to board their planes if they do not comply.

Dinesh Joseph, a frustrated South African living in the United Kingdom, was outraged when he was asked to complete the Afrikaans test before boarding his aircraft.

Dinesh shared his experience with the team with Sizwe Dhlomo on Kaya Drive from the UK.

His message to Rynair, in which he questioned the form’s purpose and informed the airline of its potential discriminatory nature, went 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.”