The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) will be taking a key interest in the case involving Kyle Springate, who is due to go back to the Pietermaritzburg High Court tomorrow, 19 August 2009, in his quest to have sign language recognised as an official exam subject.
Although PanSALB was cited as the fourth responded in the case, it wants to make it known that it has no intention to oppose this application.
"As a watchdog relating to linguistic human rights, we have taken a position that we are not going to defend such cases in the future because these types of applications will have a potential of compromising our independence. The Constitution has mandated this institution to inter alia, promote, and create conditions for, the development and use of all official languages; including sign language," said Professor Sihawukele Ngubane, Chairperson of the Board.
He explained that as much as we sympathise with the applicant, it is unfortunate that it is not the mandate of PanSALB to grant languages official status. This falls within the ambits of parliament which has the power to bestow official status on languages.
According to Professor Sihawukele Ngubane, this is not an isolated case where state institutions have shown reluctance in promoting multilingualism. For instance, the failure by government departments and related institutions to develop language policies and implement multilingualism is leaving proof that the matter has been reduced to the periphery.
"It is ironic that more than a decade after the dawn of South Africa's democracy the majority of citizens are still battling to access information using their mother tongue languages," he explained.
PanSALB is of the view that this matter can only be addressed by the passing of a National Language Framework Act that would make it a law for these institutions to implement multilingualism.
PanSALB will respect any ruling by the court which seeks to advance its mandate.
Enquiries:
Sibusiso Nkosi
Tel: 012 341 9638
Cell: 082 855 4436
Fax: 012 341 5938
Issued by: Pan South African Language Board
18 August 2009
