Phini likaSomlomo elihloniphekile [Hon Deputy Speaker] ...
... hon Deputy President, hon Ministers here present, ladies and gentlemen, on 7 August last year I stood before this House to table for consideration the Use of Official Languages Bill. On that day we said that we were taking a major step in the promotion of multilingualism in our country. We also said that we were strengthening our efforts to build a South Africa that truly belonged to all who lived in it, black and white, united in their diversity.
Today, as I table the Language Practitioners' Council Bill, I do so in order to take forward the work we are doing to promote the widespread use of all official languages. Once again we are delighted that the Bill we are tabling is a product of popular participation and broad consensus among various stakeholders. By tabling this Bill we are, as directed by the Constitution of our country, taking another step forward in ensuring that all languages enjoy parity of esteem.
Hi tlhela hi xixima ni ku sirhelela timfanelo ta tindzimi ta Maafrika- Dzonga. [Again, we want to respect and protect the linguistic rights of South Africans.]
In particular, through the Bill we are ensuring that there is proper regulation of the language profession and thus addressing some of the challenges it faces. The challenges include the vulnerability to exploitation of many language practitioners, the lack of clear and predictable standards for the language profession and the lack of protection to members of the public who may be prejudiced by the services rendered by language practitioners.
In addressing these challenges, the Bill provides for the establishment of the SA Language Practitioners' Council. It sets out the objectives, powers, duties and functions of that council. Of critical importance is that the Bill seeks to regulate the training of language practitioners and provide for the control of their accreditation and registration. The Bill also proposes that the SA Language Practitioners' Council acts as an advisory body to the Minister responsible for language matters. The council is also expected to prescribe the rules governing the conduct of language practitioners, language professionals and the procedures for compliance, monitoring and enforcement. We are also proposing that the council provides and encourages the provision of opportunities for South Africans, especially from disadvantaged communities, to enter the language profession and practice as language practitioners.
We are confident that the measures we are proposing in the Bill will go a long way in elevating the status of the language profession, ensuring that it is properly regulated and that it contributes meaningfully to language preservation and development. Following this Bill, we are likely to see more South Africans pursuing careers in the language profession, not only as an academic pursuit but also as a means towards promoting unity and diversity. Hinkwaswo leswi swi twisiseka kahle hi tlhelo ra vumundzuku bya tindzimi etikweni ra hina. [This can be well understood in the context of the prospects of South African languages in our country.]
Hon members, we are doing all of these things inspired, among others, by the words of the founding father of our democratic nation, uTata Nelson Mandela, who wrote the following:
Without language one cannot talk to people and understand them; one cannot share their hopes and aspirations, grasp their history, appreciate their poetry or savour their songs.
Let us continue to preserve and develop our languages because it is only through language that we can reach out to one another and embrace each other's diversity.
Mohlomphehi Sepikara, ke motlotlo ho teka Bili ya Lekgotla la Basebeletsi ba puo hore e amohelwe Ntlong ena. [Hon Speaker, it is an honour for me to table the Language Practitioners' Council Bill before this House for consideration.]
Thank you very much. [Applause.]