1 Legal intervention and language policy in schools: The case of isiZulu Second Language Teaching in KZN with special reference to the case against Durban High School in 2008 Prof N.S.Turner School of isiZulu Studies University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban Email: turnern@ukzn.ac.za Abstract This paper looks broadly at the situation of the Government’s Language Policy in schools and at the declining numbers of pupils opting to take isiZulu as a first additional language subject in KwaZulu- Natal compared to Afrikaans. In particular, the recent court case against Durban High School (DHS) in 2008 will be examined as well as the impact of this case generally with regards second language teaching in KwaZulu-Natal. Introduction IsiZulu is the most widely spoken language in South Africa but particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. Official figures put isiZulu as the first language (L1) for over 80% of speakers in the region. In senior schools in KwaZulu Natal at the present moment, students are required to study one language as a first language (in KwaZulu–Natal either English, Afrikaans or isiZulu), and then they are given the option of studying an additional language known in the old terminology as a second language (L2), or as it is currently known as first additional language. Indigenous African languages are not compulsory at this level. Pupils are also free to study a third language which may be a foreign language or a local language. A major surprise is finding that only a small percentage of schools in KwaZulu Natal offer isiZulu as a first additional language subject (L2) at Grade 12 level, in order to cater for the remainder of the population who do not speak Zulu as their home language. The majority of students who opt to write this subject at Grade 12 level as a first additional language, are in fact from isiZulu speaking homes. Even more surprising is