FYI (fwd from ILAT)... DZO
Mbeki calls for preservation of indigenous languages President Mbeki wants traditional leaders, to stop indigenous languages from disappearing April 07, 2005, 17:00 http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/general/0,2172,101617,00.html President Thabo Mbeki wants traditional leaders to stop indigenous languages from disappearing. Mbeki was speaking at the annual opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders in Cape Town today. Mbeki says he is very concerned that African languages and traditions are lapsing in both rural and urban areas. Mbeki says African pride shines when people express their culture in the way they dress, the traditions they uphold and the languages they speak. But these are in danger of being pushed aside. The president says at school level, fewer and fewer of African children are taking African languages as subjects. He says many young people are more in tune with Western trends. Hence in many instances it is easy for the youth to identify with rock stars from places they have never seen. He called on traditional leaders to bring back language and tradition. He says they should work with communities, government departments and the private sector to raise the importance of African languages. Mbeki also wants to see festivals celebrating traditions, songs and dances becoming a regular feature in cities and rural areas countrywide. This has been welcomed by the traditional leaders. ----- End forwarded message ----- ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> What would our lives be like without music, dance, and theater? Donate or volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good! http://us.click.yahoo.com/pkgkPB/SOnJAA/Zx0JAA/TpIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
