Chairperson, as you know, language is a much contested terrain in South Africa, and the ANC is the only party that is ensuring that indigenous languages are in the process of being recognised in South Africa. Right at the beginning, I must say that the parties unanimously agreed on this Bill and I don't expect any objections at this point, because we agreed on it.
One of the issues I want to raise is that, as you all know, the Bill is meant to organise language practitioners in the country under one body, to develop a code of conduct by which practitioners will work, as well as their regulation, registration, training, and accreditation, and to organise the provision of language services to the public.
This Bill represents the interests of both practitioners and the client in order to ensure that practitioners are not exploited in any sector. This is because many language practitioners are undermined or eliminated because of a lack of certain qualifications. This Bill now gives those with nodal content and those with indigenous language knowledge without any formal qualification the opportunity to be accredited by the Minister.
It also provides work for those in communities that are greatly disadvantaged. As I explained when we debated on the Bill last year, we find that in some communities there are, in particular, women who interpret for a doctor who cannot speak the language spoken in that specific community, but they interpret for free, without being paid. We feel that this is exploitation. Furthermore, I want to state that the Bill was debated here and then went to the NCOP. Amendments were made, as it is tagged as a Section 75 Bill, and we all agreed on the amendments. It came back to the National Assembly and to the committee, and all parties agreed that the Bill should be passed.
In short, I want to thank the members of the committee for their inputs regarding the Bill. I request that the House considers supporting this report. Thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Hon Chairperson, I move:
That the Bill, as amended, be passed.
Motion agreed to.
Bill, as amended, accordingly passed.
Order! I now suspend proceedings until 14:00 this afternoon and wish to remind members that notices of motion and motions without notice will be taken then. Business suspended at 12:23 and resumed at 14:05.
Afternoon Sitting