Ag, shut up! [Laughter.] We commend recent initiatives launched by both the Ministries of Higher Education and Training and of Basic Education with regard to the use of African languages as languages of education. We believe that a formula has to be developed to use as a basis for managing the principles and practices of the revitalisation of indigenous languages.
Furthermore, the state is enjoined to take the necessary corrective steps to elevate and equalise the formerly oppressed languages. It is with the latter view in mind that the founding provision in the Constitution was made that the Pan African Language Board, known as PanSALB, be established by national legislation, in order to promote all official languages, including the language of the Khoi and San, as well as sign language. We must ensure that we respect all languages commonly used by communities in South Africa.
The PanSALB body was established in order for there to be equal opportunity and enjoyment of all official languages. There are bodies like the Public Protector, the Human Rights Commission, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities and the Commission for Gender Equality that regulate and act against discrimination.
In this Women's Month, most of the people who are oppressed on the basis of language are women. Women have to go to Home Affairs or to Social Development and present all the required documents in order to receive grants. However, the biggest challenge that they face is that of language, because most of them were greatly oppressed. They never received the necessary education. But, if government departments provide services and documents in all our own languages, then we will also tackle the issue of language.
There must be an awareness campaign on the revitalisation of languages, and the focus should be at schools, institutions of higher education and in families. The government cannot do it alone without the families, the community and society in general. All social institutions are critical for both economic prosperity and social cohesion. Elsewhere, in some societies, the promotion of indigenous languages has led to drastic improvements in nation-building projects. Our critics always say that the performance of our matriculants is bad because of the teachers only, but if teachers were teaching in their own languages and students also ... [Interjections.]
Ek sal jou slaan! [I will beat you!] [Laughter.]]
That is their critique. Why not take into consideration the issue of languages? At Afrikaans and English-medium schools, scholars pass with flying colours, because they are taught in their mother tongues, while our African children are forced to speak this foreign language in our homes. [Interjections.] Okay, I will face this side.
As I said, the blame for the loss of multilingualism cannot be placed on government only. There are departments of language services, South African heritage services and parents who must also assist in this process.
In conclusion ... hon Ellis, you are not even listening to me now. You said I must face this side. [Interjections.] In conclusion, we need to encourage our people, particularly parents, children and the youth, to develop an interest and pride in their language and to promote this in society as a whole.
Our children - once I have mine - must be encouraged to know their language rights and what grievance procedures to follow when their rights are violated, because people do not know their rights. They are violated and taken advantage of.
We need to ensure that we revitalise indigenous languages and make an effort to learn other languages. Hon Ellis, you have been here in Parliament for a long time and you cannot even speak isiXhosa. You must learn other languages as well. Our research bodies and individual scholars must be encouraged to conduct research and, as I said, write reports, dissertations and assignments in their own languages, in accordance with the Bill of Rights. Thank you for listening, even those opposition members who did. [Interjections.] [Applause.]