The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) fully supports Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Ms Faith Mazibuko, in refusing to speak English during a session of the Gauteng Legislature, said Professor Sihawukele Ngubane on Thursday.
It has been reported that the MEC was this week expected to answer questions about ex-crime intelligence boss Joey Mabasa and suspended Tshwane deputy Metro police chief Ndumiso Jaca. The questions were posed in English by Democratic Alliance (DA) MPL and party spokesperson for safety and security in Gauteng, Ms Kate Lorimer. MEC Mazibuko chose to answer in isiZulu.
Professor Sihawukele Ngubane said the MEC had been within her constitutionally protected right to answer questions in isiZulu.
“An electronic problem is reported to have prevented the translators who were present from rendering the replies in English. As MEC Mazibuko chose to use only isiZulu, the questions remained unanswered for now. It is unfair of the DA to blame the MEC as it is not her responsibility to administer interpretation,” said Ngubane.
The assertion of the DA that the MEC should have switched to English as a compromise to her preferred language is an indication that the party has not come to terms with the constitutional provision of 11 official languages.
The current situation where indigenous languages are regarded as second-class languages which belong in our dwellings cannot be allowed to go on unchallenged. Therefore, we commend the MEC for consciously moving away from the current dominance of English to a situation in which all South African languages are treated equally and properly – not only on paper but in fact.
Language is of critical importance to all South Africans. Not only is language the vehicle for thought and therefore intellectual development, but it is also the enabler of a communicating nation. Proficient use of language does not only benefit the user, but also the country as a whole. As such, language is a critical factor influencing education outcomes and is a determinant of scholastic and career performance.
Language forms the basis for conceptualisation and understanding. In its absence important skills and knowledge, including numeracy, cannot be transferred. This in turn influences the availability of a variety of much-needed skills in South Africa and consequently has an impact on unemployment in the long term.
Language should enhance equality and equitability as well as unite South Africans and not create distances – as such all speakers of official languages should be granted the same opportunity to use and develop their language to the benefit of the particular language community and the country as a whole. South Africa has a unique heritage of multilingualism which should be nurtured and developed.
Released on behalf of PanSALB by:
Sibusiso Nkosi
Senior Manager: Communication and Marketing
Tel: 012 341 9638
Cell: 082 855 4436
