Govt must support different languages to boost economy
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says they as the Government need to
ensure that they take the responsibility to support different languages to
promote economic growth and employment.
Lesufi was speaking on Friday at the International Mother Language Day celebratory event at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria.
The 21st of February marked the 25th Silver Jubilee of Mother Language Day, themed ‘Language as an Economic Asset and Unlocking Growth through Linguistic Diversity’
The premier said South Africans need to decolonise from a historical system that has excluded other languages in the country, economically, due to apartheid.
“South Africa’s social linguistic profile shows a colonial and apartheid legacy that for decades had disadvantaged many of our languages and have favoured other languages, particularly English and Afrikaans.”
He added that South Africa has a large landscape of languages that are underused in key economic sectors.
Lesufi said the Gauteng Provincial Government wants to expand the language systems at home, Education Institutions, and workplaces.
“It starts at home to have a language that is acceptable at home, but starting at home has its limitations because those that are supposed to pass information to the young ones have missed the opportunity,” Lesufi said
He added that, after 1994, the Government has ensured that the current education system accommodates every learner by introducing their mother language and shutting down various Education Departments that were created during apartheid.
Lesufi said that it would be formerly announced at the upcoming State of The Province Address that Swahili and Mandarin will be added in schools to be able to develop economic participation in young people.
He added that the theme ‘Language as an Economic Asset and Unlocking Growth through Linguistic Diversity’ is an affirmation that the government will work even harder.
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