The following item from the South African press agency, Bua News, was seen on AllAfrica.com at http://allafrica.com/stories/200703191311.html . Don
South Africa: Pandor Visits Mpumalanga Schools to Promote Local Languages BuaNews (Tshwane) http://www.buanews.gov.za/ March 19, 2007 Posted to the web March 19, 2007 Kulani Mavunda Nelspruit Education minister Naledi Pandor will visit Mpumalanga this week to promote the use of indigenous languages in schools. She will attend a two-day conference on Friday and Saturday organised by the provincial education department under the theme: "Consolidating the role of Indigenous Languages in Education." "We (want to identify) means and systems that must be put in place to promote the use and learning of indigenous languages in this province," said provincial department spokesman Hlahla Ngwenya on Monday. Delegates will discuss indigenous language development from a South African perspective, challenges faced by those who speak indigenous languages, language and literacy development, lessons from other countries and the promotion of indigenous languages as school subjects. "The intention is to give practical impetus to government's efforts to provide for the recognition, implementation and furtherance of multilingualism in the country," said Mr Ngwenya. "All languages must enjoy the same status and educators must ensure that they are treated accordingly." Speaking during the language policy implementation in higher education institutions conference in Pretoria last year, Minister Pandor said the Constitution gave all languages equal status. The Constitution states that, "everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions where that education is reasonably practicable". (Section 29(2) of the Constitution) "The promotion of indigenous languages must be understood in context, as it has no intention to undermine or threaten the existence of other languages," Mr Ngwenya explained. "It is an attempt to ensure that all languages are promoted and allowed to thrive side by side." Speakers at the conference will include a delegate from the Zambian education ministry, provincial education MEC Siphosezwe Masango, and a representative of the Pan South African Language Board. Copyright C 2007 BuaNews. All rights reserved. **************************** Disclaimer ****************************** Copyright: In accordance with Title 17, United States Code Section 107, this material is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material posted to this list for purposes that go beyond "fair use," you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Content: The sender does not vouch for the veracity nor the accuracy of the contents of this message, which are the sole responsibility of the copyright owner. Also, the sender does not necessarily agree or disagree with any opinions that are expressed in this message. ********************************************************************** Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AfricanLanguages/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> 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/
