NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 3195
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 15 November 2013
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 38 of 2013
Ms H N Makhuba (IFP) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) What language policy is being followed by her Department;
(2) whether there is a written language policy for her Department; if so,
(3) whether she will make a copy of such written language policy
available to Ms H N Makhuba?
NW3755E
REPLY:
(1) & (2) A draft language policy was approved in 2000 for the Department
of Home Affairs and is grounded on sections 9(3) and 30 of the
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The policy
emphasises the principles of non-discrimination and the right for
âeveryone to use the language and to participate in the cultural
life of their choiceâ. It encourages staff to learn languages
other than their home language and provides guidelines on how
business should be conducted in terms of language internally and
with the public. The policy will be reviewed and revised in due
course.
(2) Yes. A copy of the draft language policy Honourable Memberâs