Pan South African Language Board 2020/21 Annual Performance and Strategic Plan

Sport, Arts and Culture

23 October 2020
Chairperson: Ms B Dlulane (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

The Committee convened to be briefed by the Pan South African Language Board who presented an overview of its Annual Performance Plan and Strategic Plan for the 2020/21 financial year. The entity also announced its new Chief Executive Officer and briefed the Committee on where the entity’s board would like to take PanSALB by the year 2025.

The board indicated that it wishes to fast track the officialisation of the sign language as well as the recording of Khoisan languages - as there are only four people in this area left who can speak its Nu/u language. The aim is to establish an epicentre where these languages will receive attention for their development, so that they may become official languages.

The budget allocated to the entity has been R135 million. There was a 10.3% reduction as a result of COVID-19. There is anticipation that this is what will take place in 2021. 45 percent of that R135 million goes to programme one - administration.

Members asked about the development of sign languages and whether the Eastern Cape’s case of Xhosa being used for matriculants would mean that other indigenous languages are used in schools for testing. They asked if there would be a need to adopt a policy or Act of Parliament to assist this.

Members reckoned that the five-year target for the percentage vacancy rate against approved staff complement is 20%. They asked why the target is so low and what the factors influencing it are.

Members also assured the delegation that the Committee is not against board members being given tools of trade, as long as this is done in compliance with the legal framework and policies of the organisation. In future this should be done in consistent compliance with policy.

Meeting report

Opening Remarks by the Chairperson

The Chairperson opened the virtual meeting, welcoming the Members and the delegation from the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB). She apologised for the network issues and asked that visitors in the meeting be introduced. Thereafter, she asked that the agenda be adopted.

Briefing by the Pan South African Language Board

The Deputy Chairperson of Pan South African Languages Board (PanSALB), Ms Preetha Dabideen, introduced the present board members of PanSALB. She announced that their former Chairperson, David Maahlamela, has resigned. On 01 April 2020, Dr Bongumenzi Mpungose was appointed as CEO; he has extensive history in the language sector dating back to 1985. He has potential to lead the organisation to the path that it would like to take.

Dr Mpungose introduced himself to the Committee and asked that the acting CEO, Mr Willie Manana, assist him by giving the presentation.

Annual Performance Plan Overview

Mr Manana highlighted how language had become a determinant between life and death during COVID-19. PanSALB recognises that South Africas neoliberal linguistic dynamics are not new to former colonies. Language is every citizen’s enterprise, and a lack thereof would affect the entire nation. Language is a survival apparatus. It has also been used to create a drift between people. It needs to be acknowledged that language has been a means of isolating rural areas. The board is here to serve South Africans in delivering the mandate of its Constitution. No single language is capable of expressing all forms and degrees of human comprehension. On 06 March 2019, board appointment took place and members have been working hard since. In the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, one of PanSALB’s priorities will be advancing the tools of monitoring as it continues to monitor the development of languages. As seen from its task to translate COVID-19 material, PanSALB is capable of playing an important role in language development.

The board wishes to fast track the officialisation of the sign language as well as the recording of Khoisan languages - as there are only four people in this area left who can speak its Nu/u language. The aim is to establish an epicentre where these languages will receive attention for their development, so that they may become official languages. Namibia has shown keen interest in collaborating with PanSALB over the next five years. The board is privy to the fact that a compliance with the Use of Official Languages Act in 2012 is necessary. A standing goal of the institution is to accelerate the monitoring of the use of languages. In the next five years PanSALB would like to adapt the Nama spelling and orthography rules. This can be done in collaboration with the University of Namibia. PanSALB has recently launched the South African Sign Language Charter which observes the rules of sign language. It has also assessed its core business mandate. It revealed that 95% of targets were grossly affected by COVID-19. Mitigating factors have been bought about to fix this. The APP has been entirely reconfigured. It is necessary to note that PanSALB’s mandate is purely based in-contact. There needs to be a physical checking of institutions and whether they are complying with language requirements.

Meetings had to take place virtually during COVID-19. PanSALB had to explore use of community radio stations and social media to deliver activities that were initially in-contact. This is no longer as cheap as it used to be. Board members and members of the structure had to be provided with data and tools of trade. While COVID-19 has affected the institution’s delivery of its mandate, the permanency of a sign language interpreter on SABC has been a result of PanSALB’s work during the lockdown. The Dictionary Unit is working to produce dictionaries that are relevant to this time. Research on the impact of incremental introduction of African languages is almost concluded in the Western Cape and will be presented to the board. Provincial language committees continue to inform MPs of legislative information about language usage.

Administration and Institutional Support is the first programme that PanSALB carries out its mandate through. The tasks of this programme will not be largely affected because they were not contact based. The second programme, however, the Language Division was affected. An example is how a Woman’s writing workshop had to be conducted virtually in August 2020. All services providers shall be paid within the 30 days stipulated by Treasury. The APP was drafted before COVID-19. With the South African government revising its budget deficit, as a response to the coronavirus, the institution’s budget that it receives from DSAC had to be cut as well. Moreover, the DSAC’s budget over the last three years had already been reduced but this had not affected PanSALB. The budget allocated to PanSALB has been R135 million. There was a 10.3% reduction as a result of COVID-19. There is anticipation that this is what will take place in 2021. Forty-five percent of that R135 million goes to programme one - Administration. Fifty-six percent goes to the Language Division. Normal operations had to be reprioritised to accommodate COVID-19. Without language promotion and dictionary production, PanSALB cannot continue. It is in the process of producing Nu/u language recordings as there are only four speakers left. A publishing house established by PanSALB would allow dictionaries to be internally published and allow for marginalised authors to have an establishment for them. To fund core operations, the organisation suspended recruitments in a few positions and reduced outsourcing. Saving on travel and accommodation also took place. While there has been an attempt to move dictionaries online, some African languages do not allow for this to adequately take place.

Strategic Plan Overview

Mr Manana liaised that the vision of PanSALB is to promote social cohesion in South Africa. Values include transparency, accountability and integrity. The aim of the Language Development Programme is to produce 44 dictionaries by 2025. Currently, 11 have been produced in different languages. A clean audit by 2025 is also greatly desired by the organisation. In the current APP, the Nu/u audio-visual dictionaries are currently being planned. Different terminology lists are being complied. Spelling and orthography rules have been revised and therefore need to be taken to the public, so that the public knows what is required for writing in indigenous languages like Sotho and Setswana. Namibia already has spelling and orthography rules; hence collaboration with the University of Namibia will assist PanSALB in developing its own. In the Eastern Cape, for the first time in history, matric students wrote their papers in isiXhosa. The Department of Education needs to be commended for this. He read through the SWOT analysis, noting that a weakness is even when conditions are not preferable. English remains the language of prominence.

The Chairperson thanked the board for the presentation and took questions from Members.

Discussion

Ms V Van Dyk (DA) referred to page 26 of the presentation, asking that the Committee be informed if the board members received laptops. With no CFO there, she asked if it true that the banking details of PanSALB were changed. Regarding forensic investigation, she asked who requested it and when it was required. She would like that the Committee have a copy of all the claims that were submitted by the board since they started.

She pointed out that on 29 November, there was an excursion of R7000+; she requested that the board explain how this is justified. She asked if there is a board secretary. Her concern was whether PMFA regulations were followed, with a tender being put out for the lease of the PanSALB head office. She held that it was unethical for the acting CEO to be appointed for six months while he was employed and asked whether this could be clarified by the board.

Mr T Mhlongo (DA) stressed that stability is just as important as compliance. The Gobodo forensic report was not mentioned; he asked for clarity regarding its outcome. Mr Mhlongo further asked when the language board would be stabilised and whether it can be confirmed that in the next financial year, there will be a clean audit.

The Chairperson asked the CEO, Dr Mpungose, to respond to the questions.

He said that the Senior HR manager is on suspension and Ms Dikeleti Mokoena was appointed as acting for less than 12 months. She stepped down this month. The board is in the process of appointing another acting Senior HR manager. He said that he was not aware of the changing bank accounts and asked that Mr Manana assist in answering this. It was the then acting CEO who requested the Rakoma forensic search. There is no board secretary. The board approved the structure which had a position of a secretary. This post will be advertised soon in November. He assured Members that they would do their best to attain a clean audit report. If all current vacant official positions are filled before the next financial year, then this will be easier to attain.

Ms Dabideen (Deputy Chairperson) reported that the Rakoma time period overlapped with the Gobodo investigation. This was before the CEO’s time. The acting CEO at the time would know why there was a separate investigation. What was understood is that the Goboda investigation was completed, and Rakoma was tasked with certain issues after the investigation ended. The Zebula retreat which cost over R7 000 related to a MANCO meeting. The purpose was to join a MANCO meeting to house everyone under the same structure. Having attended the event, she noted that some of the staff who had worked for more than ten years in PanSALB – had not met other staff with whom they continually liaise. The nature of the event thus introduced all the staff to the official new board members. The board secretary position is one that was difficult to fill, given that all the interviews and candidates shortlisted – proved insufficiently adequate for the duties.

On the issue of the chairpersons employment, she explained that the chairperson was, at the time, doing a writing-editing job. He had been offered a University of Western Cape (UWC) position as well, and before he came to the board he already excused himself for UWC. The entity had anticipated that by the time the academic year started, he would be able to return to his chairpersonship.

Regarding the Gobodo report, she indicated that there is one employee who is still going through a disciplinary. One other employee is going through a disciplinary through Rakoma. Until 16 October, the Audit-General requested an extension for auditing. She does not believe that a clean report has taken place this year. The bank account remains ABSA. The board has not been satisfied with the communication of ABSA. Until today they have delayed adding the CEO who was appointed on 01 April, on the banking profile of PanSALB. The board has requested Treasury in investigating how an account moving could take place. It appears the ABSA-PanSALB relation has been compromised as well. No final decision has been made though.

Ms V Malomane (ANC) said that the five-year target for the percentage vacancy rate against approved staff complement is 20%. She asked why the target is so low and what are the factors influencing it.

Mr Mhlongo asked if all the recommendations of the Gobodo report implemented and why the chairperson resigned.

Ms Van Dyk referrenced page 84 about the Acting CFO whos term ended on 30 September yet appears on the slide show. She again asked for clarity on who received tools of trade. Lastly, she asked if the PMFA was complied with in issuing equipment to the chairperson who resigned.

Dr Mpungose said that they were looking for a new permanent CFO. PanSALB is busy with shortlisting for the position of the CFO and the executive head of Languages. This should be consolidated in November 2020, with interviews. The low percentage of vacancy rate against approved staff complement will be noted and reviewed. The APP for the new financial year will show an improvement for the percentage.

Mr Manana responded that the presentation have been improved by stipulating that this is no longer the status, on page 84. In view of PanSALB’s mandate and deliveries, tools of trade are needed to facilitate the board members, moreover during COVID-19. It is only board members who have been given these. The fact that at times, when one asks for a virtual meeting with a PanSALB staff member, they show no ability to do so, means that the issue has not yet been sorted.

As for safety when tools of trade are given and a member resigns, he said that the norm is that these are returned to PanSALB. In the event that Gobodo implicated Mr Manana, he had requested that information be not shared with me regarding the matter – to maintain a steady principle.

Dr Mpungose reiterated that the tools of trade given to board members remain PanSALB’s property. They have to be returned when a member resigns.

Mr W Faber (DA) said that he did not understand the iteration by the presenter that through supply chain management, tools of trade would be taken back from members who have left PanSALB. He said that supply chain management has nothing to do with getting tools of trade back. On the position of the CFO, he asked who will be accountable and whether or not it would be the CEO.

Mr M Seabi (ANC) asked what is the development of sign languages and whether the Eastern Cape’s case of Xhosa being used for matriculants would mean that other indigenous languages are used in schools for testing. He asked if there would be a need to adopt a policy or Act of Parliament to assist this.

The Chairperson said that everything spoken eMakana was in English, despite the fact that the chief was Xhosa. She asked that interpreters be brought in to ensure that the Xhosa people there would know the history of Makana. She also asked that she may be excused from the meeting at 12:30. She expressed health ills.

Mr Faber wished the Chairperson well on behalf of the DA.

Mr Mhlongo stated that PMFA does not allow tools of trade for board members from his knowledge. He stressed that his question regarding a clean audit was not answered.

Ms Dabideen answered that regarding the Gobodo report, saying that in its written submission it had been stipulated what closeout procedure would take place after its completion. When looking at stipend board members are paid, it is questionable how they are expected to provide their own tools of trade. Previously, members used their own data. As a result of COVID-19, members had to be subsidised. On 07 October, PanSALB received the chairpersons resignation. It has not come from the Department yet, as that is its own process. The board would make a request to the resigned chairperson to return tools of trade as soon as this was done. Her knowledge was that tools of trade are always provided, according to PMFA regulations. She asked how board members would be expected to provide these with the stipends they receive.

Dr Mpungose assured the Committee that during the vacancy of CFO, he, as the CEO, will take full responsibility. By the end of the following week, however, the acting CFO should have been identified.

There is an ongoing process in the officialising of sign language. It should be finalised soon. It is work done through Parliament. He said that hopefully by early next year, it should be the 12th official language. The Department of Basic Education has been contacted regarding language policies for examination in indigenous languages. The Eastern Cape has begun looking at its policies already. To ensure the provincial office in EC takes note of the Makana language concern Ms Dlulane stressed, there will be a liaison.

Ms Dabideen said that her and Mr Manana had contacted Treasury and had been to DSAC to solve the appointment of the CFO – as they were also deeply concerned.

Ms Van Dyk said that it was put to the Committee that the procurement for these tools of trade (iPads) were said to be for the Covid-19 period. According to her knowledge, these were issued before the President’s announcement of the national lockdown.

Ms Dabideen responded that the cost benefit is 13 board members in 13 different provinces, who all need to be couriered board packs – which can be done. However, for the virtual meetings that would take place from these, it is costly. PanSALB board members receive communication every day. It cannot be that their employers are expected to subsidise PanSALB. The iPads were thus resorted to. There will be disposal policies in place. Board members were appointed in March of 2019. At a point, some members said they could not afford to subsidise PanSALB. Some only received their tools during COVID despite the fact that they were appointed last year. She asked why board members should be compelled to use their tools of trade or those of their employers.

Mr Seabi assured the delegation that Committee Members are not against board members being given tools of trade, as long as it is in compliance with the legal framework and policies of the organisation. Board members are bringing their skills and time and should not further be inconvenienced. Members are saying in future they should be done in compliance with a policy. He referred to Ms Van Dyks question of a disposal policy, agreeing that these need to be made clear.

Mr Mhlongo asked if the board had these policies and if not, what their action plan is.

Ms Dabideen said that board members were asked to sign on the delivery of their documents.

Dr Mpungose indicated that one policy being finalised is about disposability. It will be shared with the Committee if Members wish to see it.

The Chairperson said that any framework or policies the board has should be shared with the Portfolio Committee through the secretariat. Where there are policies still being developed - this should be made note of. The Portfolio Committee as overseers will always be concerned that there is a misuse of resources.

Ms Dabideen asked that the Committee assist the board in taking PanSALB to a right standing. She expressed gratitude to Chairperson and the Committee.

Mr Seabi assured the board that Committee Members were not policing them. Their chief aim is to ensure that tax-payers money is being used well.

The Chairperson thanked the Members and the guest delegation for attending the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.

 

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