Mutshamaxitulu, muchaviseki Sunduza, muchaviseki Holobye wa swa Vutshila na Ndhavuko Holobye Mashatile, muchaviseki Xandla xa Holobye Phaahla, Tatana Mushwana wa Rinono - loyi a nga tikarhata namuntlha a ta haleno hikuva ha swi tiva leswaku endzhaku ka wanuna un'wana na un'wana ku na wansati, kambe ndza swi tiva leswaku etlhelo ka wansati un'wana na un'wana ku na wanuna, hi loyi a tshameke lahaya - ntlawa wa Tovyl lowu namuntlha wu tshameke siku hinkwaro wu languta wu wisa ku famba wu hungasa, mufundhisi loyi a nga khongela vhiki hinkwaro loko ndzi n'wi byerile leswaku vhiki leri swa tika na Komiti ya Vutshila na Ndhavuko, hinkwerhu ka n'wina ndza mi xeweta.(Translation of Xitsonga paragraph follows.)
[Mrs F F MUSHWANA: Chairperson, hon Sunduza; hon Minister of Arts and Culture, Minister Mashatile; hon Deputy Minister Phaahla; Mr Mushwana, who took the trouble to come here, because we know that behind every successful man there is a woman, but I know that behind every successful woman, there is a man - he is sitting over there; the Tovyl group which today took time off to rest from sightseeing after going around whiling away the time; the pastor who prayed all week long after telling him that this week will be a tough one for the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture, would salute you all.]
Speaking one's mother language is a right that not everyone can take for granted in countries where local mother tongues are threatened by more dominant languages. We as South Africans, however, are privileged in that our Constitution recognises the principle of multilingualism by providing for 11 official languages; that the state is directed to take practical and positive measures to elevate the status and advance the use of the historically marginalised languages; and, above all, that everyone has the right in terms of section 30 of the Constitution to use the language of their choice.
As early as 1955 we declared through the Freedom Charter in Kliptown that all people shall have equal rights to use their own languages. That statement in the Freedom Charter did not mean that we should use languages to exclude others but to promote a better understanding of each other's culture. That being the case, and knowing and appreciating that each other's languages can play a profound role in promoting understanding and developing social cohesion, all South Africans should be encouraged to learn an African language.
The privilege to be able to use one's own language reinforces the sanctity of all indigenous languages as instruments of heritage, identity and nation- building. It is for this reason that language becomes a highly emotive issue, as it is central to the existence of people and to their definition of who they are, who they want to be and how they wish to be identified. Unfortunately, only two of the 11 official languages are fully developed and enjoy precedence over other languages.
We therefore need to bridge the gap and accelerate the efforts to promote and develop the other nine languages. We will have succeeded in our objectives only when our mother-tongue languages have reached a point where they are used in scientific discourse and as a medium of instruction for educational purposes in the manner that the other two languages are. By saying this, we do not seek to reverse the gains of English and Afrikaans. No. However, all of us - including mother-tongue speakers of English and Afrikaans - have a duty to develop the other nine official languages that remain historically marginalised. Please, let's do it together.
Although English is a dominant language in the world, South Africans must continue to make daily use of their own languages, other than just English. It is vital that the indigenous languages, which are used in families and social networks, grow and flourish. This will only happen if these languages are cherished by their speakers and continue to be vital in both the spoken and the written word.
If stories are told, poems written and songs sung, the language will live and its speakers will change the attitudes and behaviours of other cultural groups, especially children. Children need to realise the importance of their mother language because this is critical for their sense of identity and belonging.
The promotion and development of languages must penetrate all aspects of South African life, including the media, education, labour, the Public Service and the provision of primary health in a manner that is meaningful to ordinary people. It is exactly for this reason that the ANC resolved at its Mangaung National Conference that we must ensure the development and promotion of indigenous languages with a view to including the language programme in the school curriculum. It was also resolved that an indigenous language policy that seeks to ensure that one African language should be compulsory in schools should be developed in 2014. Which language would depend on the region.
The ANC has consistently upheld the notion that broadcasting operates at two levels: Firstly, it acts as a means to reflect the rich South African cultural heritage and provides a voice to South Africans to participate in democratic dispensation. It also acts as an important platform for community involvement, education and entertainment.
Since the advent of democracy, the ANC has been consistent in developing a policy environment that transforms the media sector to meet the broadcasting needs and wants of all the segments of the South African population. To this end, television coverage has been extended to reach 92% of the population and radio coverage reaches 95% of the population. The public broadcaster and an array of independent commercial operators provide radio and television services and all official South African languages are now reflected on both television and radio, although in a limited manner. The Department of Arts and Culture's budget for the present fiscal year includes the National Language Service Programme, NLSP. Out of the total budget of the Department of Arts and Culture of R2,9 billion, R123,7 million, or 4,2%, is allocated to this programme. This amount will increase to R134,4 million and R138,9 million respectively in 2014-15 and up to 2016. The main purpose of the programme is to promote the use of all official languages and access to services and information through human language technology development and activities of 11 official languages by 2015-16. The purpose is also to build capacity in language practice by increasing the number of bursaries awarded in that field of study from 100 in 2012 to 280 in 2013-14.
Considering the very important task that needs to be funded, one is inclined to think that the National Language Service Programme deserves a bigger slice of appropriation. Consideration should also be given to ring- fencing government funding and targeting it towards developmental and educational programming favouring indigenous languages on a long-term and sustainable basis.
The ultimate achievement will be when we reach a situation where any citizen can engage government in any language of his or her choice and does not feel forced to speak or write in English or Afrikaans only. It is for this reason that the ANC has been and still is in favour of the establishment of a language policy that encourages the growth of all our people's languages within a multilinguistic framework that includes the rehabilitation and development of all indigenous languages. The ANC supports Budget Vote No 14.
Isizwe yisizwe ngolwimi lwaso kanye namasiko aso. Masibhukule sithuthukise lezi limi esazincela ebeleni. [A nation's identity is reaffirmed by its language and culture. We must therefore work hard to promote our indigenous languages.]
Thank you. Ke a leboha. Ke a leboga. Ndiyabulela. Baie dankie. Ri a livhuwa. Hi kensile. Ngiyabonga. Ngiyathokoza. Congratulations, Kaizer Chiefs, although I stay in ... [Interjections.] [Laughter.] Amandla! [Power!] [Applause.]