South Africa: Pandor Visits Mpumalanga Schools to Promote Local Languages

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Pandor Visits Mpumalanga Schools to Promote Local Languages

BuaNews (Tshwane)  March 19, 2007 Posted to the web March 19, 2007

By Kulani Mavunda Nelspruit

Education minister Naledi Pandor will visit Mpumalanga this week to
promote the use of indigenous languages in schools. She will attend a
two-day conference on Friday and Saturday organised by the provincial
education department under the theme: "Consolidating the role of
Indigenous Languages in Education." "We (want to identify) means and
systems that must be put in place to promote the use and learning of
indigenous languages in this province,"  said provincial department
spokesman Hlahla Ngwenya on Monday.

Delegates will discuss indigenous language development from a South
African perspective, challenges faced by those who speak indigenous
languages, language and literacy development, lessons from other countries
and the promotion of indigenous languages as school subjects. "The
intention is to give practical impetus to government's efforts to provide
for the recognition, implementation and furtherance of multilingualism in
the country," said Mr Ngwenya. "All languages must enjoy the same status
and educators must ensure that they are treated accordingly."

Speaking during the language policy implementation in higher education
institutions conference in Pretoria last year, Minister Pandor said the
Constitution gave all languages equal status. The Constitution states
that, "everyone has the right to receive education in the official
language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions
where that education is reasonably practicable".  (Section 29(2) of the
Constitution) "The promotion of indigenous languages must be understood in
context, as it has no intention to undermine or threaten the existence of
other languages," Mr Ngwenya explained.

"It is an attempt to ensure that all languages are promoted and allowed to
thrive side by side." Speakers at the conference will include a delegate
from the Zambian education ministry, provincial education MEC Siphosezwe
Masango, and a representative of the Pan South African Language Board.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200703191311.html

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