In pursuance of its mandate to monitor the Use of Official Languages Act, the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) has made a call to government to ensure that all COVID-19 information is made available in all official languages. As the country prepares to dispense its first consignment of the COVID-19 vaccine, PanSALB has called for the information to be made in languages that people understand.
“Never has the importance of the use of language been more pertinent than it is right now during the pandemic. We have witnessed government constantly attempt to stave off conspiracy theories and misinformation on the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, it is particularly critical that information on the vaccine be made available in all our official languages to ensure that our people are equipped to make informed decisions. This can be achieved by ensuring that such information is available in languages that people understand.” said PanSALB Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms Nikiwe Matebula.
“The promotion and preservation of our languages must be a collective effort, we therefore call upon government to heed this call and all South Africans to support the Language Activism Month campaign through various means available at their disposal, such as the support of African writers and the use of mother tongue” added Ms Matebula.
The call made by PanSALB coincides with the Language Activism month campaign which is celebrated annually during the month of February in commemoration of the International Mother Language Day (IMLD) held annually on 21 February. Various activities aimed at the promotion of the use of mother tongue will be conducted by PanSALB virtually throughout the month.
Enquiries:
Ntombentle Huluhulu
Head: Marketing and Communications
Tel: 012 341 9638
Cell: 061 581 5216
