Seboledi, Mopresidente Nxamalala, Motlat?a Mopresidente, Maloko a Palamente a hlomphegago, baeng ka moka, Mopresidente o bolet?e taba ye bohlokwa kudu. O bolet?e ka pholisi ya polelo. Ke a ipot?i?a gore na mmu?o o tla dira eng gore o hlabolle dipolelo ka moka t?a Afrika Borwa. Ga bjale dipolelo t?a rena ke dipolelo t?a go kgabi?a, e sego dipolelo t?eo go ithutwago ka t?ona dithuto t?e bohlokwa go swana le Dipalo, Kgwebo, Molao, Mahlale le t?e dingwe.
Re le ba PAC re re go ka ba kaone ge, sa pele, re ka dira gore leleme la Afrika Borwa e be leleme la bobedi la kgapelet?o ge bana ba ithuta dikolong ka moka. Sa bobedi, re rata ge maswao a ditsela a ka ba ka leleme la Afrika Borwa leo le bolelwago tikolong yeo maswao a tla bego a beilwe go yona. Sa boraro, dikgwebo - go swana le dipanka le dikgwebo t?eo di dirago dillathekeng - di swanet?e gore di diri?e maleme a Afrika Borwa. Mohlala ka ga se ke Absa. Ge o fihla met?heneng ya Absa o a tseba gore o swanet?e o tobet?e kae le ge o sa tsebe sekgowa. Sa bone, dingwalwa t?a maleme a Afrika Borwa di swanet?e gore di ate. Go swanet?e gape gore go be le difoka t?eo di tlago thop?a ke batho bao ba ngwadilego ka maleme a Afrika Borwa. T?e ka moka ke nagana gore di tla bu?a botho bja rena. Ga bjale ga re t?ewe bjalo ka batho ka lebaka la gore ge motho a bolela maleme a mangwe, batho ba mo t?ea bjalo ka motho wa maemo. Eup?a ge motho a bolela maleme a gaborena batho ga ba mo t?ee bjalo ka motho. (Translation of Sepedi paragraphs follows.)
[Mr L M MPHAHLELE: Hon Speaker, President Nxamalala, Deputy President, hon Members of Parliament, distinguished guests, the President raised a very important issue, the language policy. I ask myself how government plans to develop all indigenous languages. Our languages are currently used unofficially and not as a medium of instruction for subjects such as mathematics, economics, law, science and others.
As the PAC, we would appreciate it if, firstly, it is made compulsory for learners in all schools to take one indigenous language as their first additional language. Secondly, we would also like to see road signs written in the indigenous language spoken in the particular area in which the sign is placed. Thirdly, institutions such as banks and cellphone companies must use indigenous languages. Absa is such an example. Absa's ATMs are user- friendly to everyone, including people who do not understand English. Fourthly, we need more literary work in indigenous languages. There must be awards for indigenous writers. I think all this will bring back our humanity. We are currently being taken for granted. When you speak some of the foreign languages, you are treated with dignity and respect, but when you speak one of the indigenous languages, you are not treated with the same dignity and respect.]
Comrade President, the PAC family holds the view that the National Planning Commission must be afforded sufficient resources. This will enable the commission to travel throughout the world and learn from other countries, instead of relying solely on state institutions such as Statistics SA.
With South Africa fast becoming a serious player in the international arena, we can no longer rely on individuals' charm and charisma. We need institutional memory with regard to mediation, diplomacy, peace and international interventions. We need a well-resourced office that will champion the country's strategic international relations regardless of who is in power.
The highest office in the land should do some soul-searching in communication and public engagement. It seems the Presidency has been expanded without necessarily being strengthened. The failure by the President to declare his interests on time, in compliance with the law, clearly shows that there is no technocratic capacity in the highest office. Some of us who hold your office in high esteem were deeply embarrassed by this incompetence. What embarrassed us more was the discord of voices from the Presidency trying to justify a mistake. With this type of spokesperson, you need no enemy to tarnish your public image.
With regard to public engagement, the presidential hotline, 17737, is a good idea. But good ideas that are underfunded end up fading away. In conclusion, the PAC supports the Budget. [Time expired.] [Applause.]