Chairperson, Arts and Culture is an extremely important Vote as it is clearly stated that the aim of the department is to develop and preserve South African arts and culture and, importantly, to ensure social cohesion and nation-building. This responsibility is not to be taken lightly as it has an effect on all of our lives and the extent to which we can optimally function in our multilingual and multicultural society.
It is, therefore, with great concern that the DA notes that the department, once again, received a qualified report from the Auditor-General. Worrying in this regard is the fact that no sufficient appropriate audit evidence could be provided to substantiate the amount of R49,6 million relating to subsistence and travel expenditure.
There is a possible irregular expenditure in the amount of R54,5 million due to a proper tender process that may not have been followed and payments that were not approved in line with the approved delegation of authority. Of concern, also, is the fact that the department has materially underspent the budget on Programme 2: Arts and Culture in Society, and on Programme 6: National Archives, Records, Libraries and Heraldic Services, in the amount of R21,9 million.
The noncompliance with the applicable legislation is not acceptable, and here I refer to noncompliance with the Public Finance Management Act regarding the safeguarding and maintenance of assets, Treasury regulations and Cultural Institutions Act.
It is indeed worrying that the Auditor-General reported that the prior year's external audit recommendations as well as Scopa resolutions have not been substantially implemented. We trust that these matters will be given the urgent attention they demand.
We are, however, encouraged to see the emphasis on libraries with the expansion of community library services being the primary focus of Programme 6. The availability and accessibility of libraries are absolute prerequisites for inculcating a culture of reading amongst young and old, and it is also a fundamental right to have access to all expressions of knowledge, creativity and intellectual activity and to express one's thoughts in public, as is stated in article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
However, providing library facilities will, by itself, not foster a culture of learning and reading. People will have to want to go to libraries and value them for what they are able to offer. It was therefore encouraging to hear in the portfolio committee meeting that these libraries will also be multipurpose centres in communities, and I also have to congratulate the hon Minister on mentioning the prospect of forming book clubs. We view this as a positive initiative. One will, however, have to ensure that the other functions provided at the libraries do not overshadow the main purpose of the library.
It is also important that the effort to develop and provide reading material in our indigenous languages continues and broadens, as language is one of the crucial elements in the effort to ensure social cohesion and nation-building and to develop arts and culture.
Language permeates all spheres not only of arts and culture, but also, for example, of education, communication, social development, justice, tourism and labour. Unfortunately, we often tend to view multilingualism as a problem and a burden instead of an asset. We cannot profess to be multicultural and plan to promote multiculturalism without promoting and practising multilingualism. You cannot have culture without language.
It is, therefore, disappointing to note that Programme 3: National Language Service has again received the lowest budget allocation. Even at the portfolio committee meeting it was mentioned that the language issue is a matter of concern and that much has to be done to improve the status and use of all our official languages, but it seems as if this concern is not translated into the budget allocations.
The National Language Service is tasked with aspects such as terminology co- ordination, which is fundamental to the development of our languages, translation and editing, language planning and human language technologies. The latter is instrumental in the innovative application of modern technology in the country's communication environment.
Much emphasis has been placed on job creation in terms of the crafts sector, but it also has to be recognised that the language industry has major potential financial benefits and employment opportunities that can be explored in all sectors of our society.
A key issue here is to encourage the public and private sectors to actively promote the use of, and respect for, all South Africa's official languages. This is especially of importance in the public sector where access to services, to a large extent, depends on linguistic access. In this regard, I have to mention that I have not really heard any mention made of South African sign language, while there are more than 500 000 people dependent on the use of sign language in our country.
It is a pity that we do not yet have legislation regarding the language industry itself. I trust that the envisaged South African Language Practitioners' Council Bill will be tabled sooner rather than later, as this Bill's first draft dates back to 1999.
We would also want to urge the Minister to revisit the South African Languages Bill even if, as has been mentioned in the portfolio committee meeting, it is a complex matter.
It has to be realised that the official favouring of a certain language or languages over others for the purpose of communication between government and citizens can lead to a perception that some languages are more important than others. This may create a sense of alienation and does not work in favour of national unity and social cohesion as these will only become rhetorical concepts, devoid of any substance and in time we shall face the real danger of losing one of our precious assets, namely our indigenous languages.
I want to close with the following: For every language that becomes extinct, an image of man disappears. Thank you. [Applause.]