Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile has called for the government to use African languages.
THE government’s constitutional obligation to ensure the equal status of official languages should see at least three languages used by government services, including public enterprises such as Eskom, Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatilesaid on Friday.
Mr Mashatile said the use of African languages by the government was not just necessary because of constitutional obligations, but would also ensure high levels of public service to speakers of African languages.
The draft South African Languages Bill is before Parliament and aims to provide for regulation and monitoring of official language usage by the government.
National and provincial government are required to use at least two official languages.
English and Afrikaans, however, are predominant, and critics say indigenous African languages are being sidelined.
SA does not have legislation regulating language use by the government, with the Cabinet having rejected a Language Bill in 2007. The Pan South African Language Board (Pansalb), the chapter 9 institution set up to promote indigenous languages, has been criticised as dysfunctional. More.
See: Business Day
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Yes. I think it's important, especially for the common man to be able to participate in the national debate. I applaud Tanzania as they've taken this on board and are practising this as we speak. In Africa, with the multitude of languages spoken, this would be the best way to go.
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