Molweni apha ekhaya. [Kwahlekwa.] Injani imvuko? [Uwele- wele.] NguDlangamandla lo! Kufuneka ndifake iiglasi zamehlo ukuze ndibone yonke le nto ndiqhele ukuyibona. [Uwele-wele.] [Greetings to everyone in the House. [Laughter.] How are you? [Interjections.] I am Dlangamandla! I must wear my spectacles so that I can see what I used to see. [Interjections.]]
For the first time in life in South Africa, the issue of languages and language practitioners is now positioned as one of the top priorities on the country's development agenda. [Interjections.]
Ndandinixelele ukuba andiphindi ndingasithethi isilungu. [Kwahlekwa.] [I've told you that I will never stop speaking English again. [Laughter.]]
Remember, when you touch the language issue, you are touching a nerve and the blood of an individual. For too long the environment in which language practitioners have been operating has not been conducive to professionalism. As such, they have been deprived of their right to freedom of expression in this country. The Bill must help and defend them when they are dealing with their challenges.
With regard to language activists in Parliament ...
... apha kule Ndlu yoWiso-mthetho ... [... in this National Assembly ...]
... the definitions should include oaths of office, seniority level; language professional, accreditable, registered language practitioners and retirees' accreditation. The council should determine standardised tariffs for each level of language practitioner and it should include PanSALB.
Individuals with more than 10 years experience, who have been the backbone of interpreting services and who may not possess the necessary qualifications, need to be considered in this Bill because their vast experience will empower the council to reach its objectives.
The implementation of this Bill is long overdue and its introduction to this House is an indication that government and Parliament take language practitioners very seriously. This Bill will give language practitioners the dignity they deserve. The Bill also seeks to provide for the objectives of the council to protect the professional interests of language practitioners and to protect members of the public who make use of the services provided by language practitioners.
Hon Minister of Arts and Culture, if the council does not function, the time has arrived to act fast - especially when the council does not perform. This would prevent a vacuum from developing, where nobody can be held accountable, because that would open an unnecessary space for no service delivery to the nation.
Hon Minister, Cope calls for the implementation, implementation and implementation of this Bill. Cope [iyayixhasa] supports this Bill. [Interjections.] Thank you. [Applause.]