Eka Holobye wa Vutshila na Mfuwo, Tat Paul Mashatile, Xandla xa Holobye wa Vutshila na Mfuwo, Dok Joe Phaahla, Mutshamaxitulu, nkul Sundhuza, Swirho swa Palamende, vuyeni hinkwabyo, ndza mi losa. (Translation of Xitsonga paragraph follows.)
[Mrs F F MUSHWANA: Chairperson, Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile, Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Joe Phaahla, hon Sunduza, Members of Parliament and all guests, I greet you.]
It is a privilege to focus on the topic of language in our budget. Language is what we are. All our families and communities have languages.
This is particularly the case where we have had 17 years of post-apartheid rule. The area of language is really critical after independence. Many revolutionaries and language experts have warned us to watch carefully what is happening in this sphere, particularly when it comes to indigenous languages. In this regard liberation would be incomplete without the recognition and popular use of languages, particularly of the formerly oppressed people.
The Reconstruction and Development Programme affirms and promotes the rich and diverse expression of South African languages, so that we can enjoy freedom of expression and creativity, free from interference. This commitment recognises the huge effect the malign legacy of apartheid and colonialism has had on suppressing indigenous languages.
In the sphere of language the use of English in the economy continues to dominate. To grapple with the meaning of liberation and the role and power of language in society are critical for society as a whole.
Since 1994, some young parents have been frustrating their children's opportunity to learn their indigenous languages due to a perceived association of English with prestige, status, knowledge and future opportunities. They say, "Oh, do you know that my child can speak English and Afrikaans? I'm proud, you know."
Language is not spoken just for the purpose of human communication. It is about power relations. The ambition of mothers and parents to see their children not knowing their indigenous languages confirms that we have not transformed the economy of South Africa.
As indicated in our 8 January Statement, we must make the decisive shift to meaningful transformation and implement a programme that will ensure that the fruits of our political liberation are shared amongst all our people. This is the Freedom Charter's clarion call. In this regard political liberation is incomplete without the liberation of language.
The dominance of English in the economy reflects an unfinished agenda to bring about economic transformation. The ATM printouts, for example, are only in English. This key task is relevant, particularly since we have declared this the year for consolidating people's power for the national democratic society, as we move towards 100 years of selfless struggle.
At its 2007 national conference, the real conference, ... [Applause.] ... the ANC recommended that indigenous languages be promoted in all our schools, with the intention that learners be taught in their mother tongue. This will certainly ensure that matric results improve drastically.
Historically suppressed languages need to be promoted. We also need to respect other people's languages so that the language issue does not divide us. South Africa is a multilingual society with 11 official languages. ANC policy continues to recognise, protect and develop all languages, and ensure that all citizens have access to all spheres of the nation's life.
The Constitution provides the primary legislative mandate of the Department of Arts and Culture. Section 30 of the Constitution relates directly to the mandate of the department and states that -
Everyone has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice ...
In this regard the department's policies also focus strongly on promoting the country's official languages and enhancing linguistic diversity in line with the Constitution. No one, when exercising these rights, however, may do so in a manner inconsistent with any provision of the Bill of Rights.
The Constitution protects the right of all South Africans to use any South African language of their choice in dealings with the state. This is a right to ensure that delivery happens.
The removal from all spheres of the nation's life of linguistic barriers to understanding and participation will call for the employment of more interpreters. [Interjections.] Yes, employing more interpreters is job creation.
ANC policy aims to further the development of all our languages in all aspects of life in order to create respect for different languages and not to divide us.
The Arts and Culture budget presents a unique opportunity to all South Africans to celebrate their rich cultural diversity. The ANC is proud and privileged to lead a country that has a rich, diverse, intangible cultural heritage, such as cultural expression, oral traditions, craftsmanship, social practices, rituals and festivals.
South Africa, kha ri ambe [let us speak], asikhulume [let us speak], sithetha [let us speak], re bua [let us speak], hi vulavula [let us speak], let us speak and laat ons praat [let us speak]!
Our South African linguistic diversity must unite us and not divide us as a nation. May all South Africans make it their business to know the languages of other people in this rainbow nation. For your own sake you need to know other people's languages.
This budget must be backed by economic transformation to build an equal and caring society. We as the ANC support Budget Vote 14, and I thank you. [Applause.]