K Sesele: Multi-Lingual Development Project (MIDP) IV launch

26 March 2009

Programme director
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen

A multilingual dispensation is indeed a critical necessity in our society
which is governed by a Constitution that acknowledges various cultural and
language communities. Our Constitution accords the necessary respect to all
languages that are spoken in our land. It is therefore a necessity that
practical measures must be sought to give effect to the language values and
principles embodied in our Constitution.

Honoured guests, I must against this background express my appreciation, if
not gratitude, to the province of Antwerp in Belgium for its generosity of
spirit in funding the Multilingual Information Development Project (MIDP) in
our province.

I must in particular thank Mr Ludo Helsen, the Mayor of the province of
Antwerp, who had personally spearheaded support for this project with a
passion.
Since this project is undertaken as a partnership between the Department of
Sport, Arts and Culture as well as the University of the Free State, through
its unit for language management, I must also acknowledge the role played by
our partner in ensuring the successful implementation of this project.
Professor Du Plessis, as head of the unit for language management at the
university, together with his team, had also showed keen interest and passion
in the successful execution of MIDP. The fact that we have been through the
first three stages of this project, and we are now launching its fourth phase,
is indicative of the magnificent progress that has been made. This is a sign
that through partnerships we can achieve more. Working together we can do
more!

Language and development

Programme director, ladies and gentlemen, we indeed have to work on the
flourishing of languages in our province. A multilingual dispensation is
fertile ground for the further development of our communities and society in
general. It goes without saying that without language communication is
impossible. One of the key characteristic features of human development is the
ability to communicate.

As we approach the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup and 2010 FIFA World
Cup tournament it will be important, for example, for our communities to be
able to interact with millions of foreign nationals who will be in our country
from different world destinations during and beyond these two important soccer
events. The focus on interpreter training by this fourth phase of MIDP is thus
an important factor in ensuring better communication during and beyond these
two important soccer spectacles to take place in our country.

While the focus in the first three phases of MIDP has been on the main
official languages of the province, it will be primary that we take into
consideration the globalised social and economic environment we operate in,
which I believe MIDP IV does. As the province we also need to position
ourselves in such a way that we are able to participate in the global social
and economic mainstreams, to seek investment and tourism opportunities that
will advance the much needed growth, particularly in these turbulent economic
times.

The provision of interpreting services and its further extension to district
municipalities will in my view provide the necessary interpreting skills to our
communities that will enhance better interaction amongst ourselves.
Programme director, the elevation of indigenous languages, from their
marginalised status to being languages of business and commerce is an important
milestone that we have to work hard on. It is, therefore, regrettable that one
of our partners in Sesotho language development, the Language Research and
Development Centre (LRDC) had to stop operating.

While we recognise the autonomy of institutions and their right to bargain
with their employees, I wish to indicate that the staff of the LRDC approached
me dismayed at how the university is handling their contracts. We would like to
see them treated with dignity and respect while all parties adhere to the
dictates of all pieces of legislation governing employer-employee relations in
this country. Such knowledge and expertise cannot be left to go to waste. It
must, however, be used effectively in the development of Sesotho language as a
language of the majority in this province. The department will, therefore, be
keen to facilitate, if need be, in the amicable resolution of this temporary
problem.

The department is currently working on the Sesotho 2010 dictionary which
will be one of our legacy projects for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This dictionary
should assist Sesotho soccer commentators during the soccer world cup to
fluently commentate during the matches without any language technical glitches.
In this way we shall have taken a step further towards according the necessary
respect to our indigenous languages.

I am glad that MIDP IV will also incorporate sign language as part of its
focus on interpreting services. In our quest to ensure a multi-lingual
dispensation in our province we need not neglect to remember people with
disabilities. This is a matter of principle that does not require debate. We
should thus ensure the realisation of the goal of MIDP IV which is to ensure
smooth communication interaction within the wider public, including the deaf
community.

Conclusion

Programme director and honoured guest, I want to give an undertaking here
that as the Free State Provincial Government in general and the department in
particular we will continue to support this important initiative. As a partner
in this project we will not renege on our commitment towards ensuring a
multilingual dispensation in our province.

The identified remaining challenges of this project, which include adoption
of the language policy, raising awareness of the policy, assisting government
departments with implementation and so on, must be addressed through collective
effort in the spirit of partnership. May I take this opportunity to again thank
the province of Antwerp and the unit for language management for their support
and partnership in this project.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Free State Provincial
Government
26 March 2009