Arthur Greene
Ryanair has dropped a controversial test in Afrikaans following widespread outrage and scorn from the South African public.
The test, given to all South African passengers, was designed to identify those carrying fake passports. Those who failed the test would not be allowed to board.
The quiz was met with widespread backlash, as many South Africans – particularly black South Africans – do not speak or read Afrikaans but hold legitimate passports.
Afrikaans is also associated by many as the language of white-minority rule during the days of apartheid.
The test was not available in any other of South Africa’s 11 languages.
“Our team issued a test in Afrikaans of 12 simple questions,” Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary told the media this week.
“We didn’t think it was appropriate either. So we have ended the Afrikaans test, because it doesn’t make any sense.”
O’Leary did, however, deny accusations that the test was profiling South Africans.
