Hon Chairperson, I would like to start off by congratulating the hon Sunduza for bringing this topic to Parliament. I think it is necessary that we discuss this issue, and I would like to say that I agree with approximately 98% of every word she said today. It was a good speech. The 2% difference is in terms of certain interpretations of our history, but we can debate that at another time. Well done on the 98%!
The question is: Do we really believe in and see South Africa as a multilingual country, or do we pay lip service to this ideal, while secretly moving towards an English-speaking only South Africa? That is the problem. Why is it normal and acceptable if I insist on speaking English anywhere, but if I speak one of South Africa's other indigenous languages, then suddenly there is a problem or it becomes political?
The international position of English made it possible for a number of popular misconceptions about English in South Africa to take root. These relate to the belief that most South Africans understand English, or that English is widely used as a lingua franca. Research shows that only 34% to 40% of South Africans have sufficient English language skills to make sense of news broadcasts and political debates in English. The documentation and the study have been done.
Die feit van die saak is dat moedertaal onderwys, en die hele erkenning van jou eie taal, absoluut noodsaaklik is as ons ernstig is om mense in die proses te erken. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The fact remains that mother-tongue education, and the complete acknowledgment of one's own language, is absolutely essential if we are serious about acknowledging people in the process.]
It is not only the ANC, in terms of the Polokwane resolution, that speaks about this. One should have a look at section 6(2) of the Constitution, where it is clearly stated that:
Recognising the historically diminished use and status of the indigenous languages of our people, the state must take practical and positive measures to elevate the status and advance the use of these languages.
Feit van die saak is: as jy iemand se taal minag, minag jy daardie persoon. [The fact of the matter is that if you show contempt for someone's language, you also show contempt for that person.]
If we are serious about the recognition of all our official languages, we should do what was said today and implement the proposals that were put on the table. I congratulate the member. Let us do this now in practice and then we will see that, once we really try, we will start to succeed at nation-building as well. [Applause.]