Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Die wet maak meestal administratiewe veranderinge, maar daar is twee aspekte daarvan wat vermelding verdien. Eerstens is dit verblydend om te sien dat politieke aktiwiteite by skole, kragtens die Suid-Afrikaanse Skolewet van 1996, tydens skoolure verbied word.
Verskeie politieke figure het al mildelik gebruik gemaak, of misbruik gemaak, van skole waar leerlinge 'n maklike teiken is om propaganda te versprei. Leerlinge moet aandag gee aan hul skoolwerk, veral in die lig van die onderwysuitdagings in Suid-Afrika. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The law mostly effects administrative changes, but two aspects with regard to that deserve mention. Firstly, it is heartwarming to note that political activities at schools during school hours are prohibited according to the Schools Act of 1996.
Many political figures have liberally used or misused schools as learners are an easy target for the dissemination of propaganda. Learners must pay attention to their school work, as we face many education challenges in South Africa.]
Secondly, we wish to address the amendments regarding the instruction in a language of the learner's choice where this is reasonably practicable, as set out in section 4 of the National Education Policy Act of 1996 and in the Constitution. While only definitions have been changed, I think the Minister must still consider the broader impact of this provision as it relates to the right to be instructed in one's mother tongue. Afrikaans schools have dwindled almost to 300 at last count. This is nonsensical in the light of the government's own pronouncements that demographic reality must be the guiding light of social planning.
Afrikaans is the third largest language in the country after isiZulu and isiXhosa, with English a distant sixth place. Therefore, the indigenous languages deserve special attention. The Economist magazine stated in an article in its 20 January edition: "English is dangerously dominant in South Africa."
Daarom moet ons 'n plan maak om, ten spyte van die gebreke in die huidige wetgewing, hieraan aandag te gee. [Therefore we have to make a plan to pay attention to this, notwithstanding the inadequacies in the current legislation.]
I thank you. [Time expired.]