Arts and Culture Minister, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, has dissolved the board of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB).
He has done so in terms of section 5(5A) of the Pan South African Language Board Act No.59 of 1995. Section 5(5A) allows the Minister to dissolve the Board on reasonable grounds.
Minister Mthethwa has indicated that:
- There was no common understanding between the Department and the Board as to what the strategic role of the Board shoauld be.
- The understanding of the Board of its role and mandate was inconsistent with the legislative mandate provided by the PanSALB Act and the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999).>
- The Board had difficulties in understanding or aligning to the frameworks governing the relationship between the Executive Authority and the Board which impacted on the budget vote.
- The Board did not act prudently with regard to employer-employee relations, which made PanSALB vulnerable to legal claims and compliance requirements with certain statutory obligations.
- No sufficient leadership was demonstrated by the Board throughout its term, despite certain interventions from the Department and the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture.
- The Board had difficulties in fulfilling its objects as outlined in Section 3 of the PanSALB Act and in particular, the creation of conditions for the preservation, development, promotion and respect for official and other languages in South Africa.
“I have dissolved the Board of PanSALB with immediate effect. The development of our languages and the promotion of multilingualism in South Africa need to be accelerated. The year 2016 must produce tangible results. Let us start on a clean slate and act decisively on challenges affecting PanSALB,” said Minister Mthethwa.
Minister Mthethwa with the concurrence of the National Treasury has appointed the Board of the National Heritage Council (NHC) as the Accounting Authority for PanSALB in order to ensure the development of a turnaround strategy and its implementation without delay.
The turnaround strategy will seek to alleviate cash flow problems, to ensure a conducive environment for productivity and the fulfilment of the objects of PanSALB.
Further measures will be taken during the course of the year to ensure stability at PanSALB.
For enquiries, contact:
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
E-mail: LisaCo@dac.gov.za
