Question NW1581 to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
09 December 2019 - NW1581
Wessels, Mr W to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
(1). Whether, with reference to the reply to question 1582 on 18 June 2018, all National Departments, Public Entities and Public Enterprises as described in the act are now complying with the implementation of the Use of Official Languages Act, Act 12 of 2012; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is his department is doing to ensure compliance; (2). whether all National Departments, Public Entities and Public Enterprises report annually to (a) him and (b) the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) on progress made with the implementation of their respective language policies and language units as required in terms of Sections 7 and 9 of the Act; if not, (i) why not and (ii) what is his department doing to ensure compliance; (3). whether his department tables an annual report to parliament on progress made in this regard as required by Section 12 of the Act; if not, why not; (4). whether he has found that all provinces have adopted and effectively implemented language policies in accordance with their provincial languages acts; if not, what is his department doing to ensure compliance and; (5). whether he will make a statement on the matter? CW114E
Reply:
1. Not all National Departments, National Public Entities and National Public Enterprises are complying with the Use of Official Languages Act 12 of 2012. Very few are complying, the main area where compliance is satisfactorily noted in some departments and entities is with regard to language policies. There is little progress with regard to the establishment of language units
(a).Reasons cited mostly for non-compliance range from inadequate funding and a need to be guided and taken through the processes, a task which was carried out by Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) in February 2019.
(b).PanSALB will continue to monitor the implementation of the Act to ensure compliance.
2. Not all national departments, national public entities and national public enterprises are reporting annually. PanSALB have scheduled public hearings for all to come and report on progress.
3. Yes, the report is tabled annually and this will happen when the annual report has been compiled at the end of the financial year.
4. Not all provinces have adopted and effectively implemented their language policies in accordance with their Provincial Language Acts. PanSALB has commissioned provincial offices to monitor and conduct an audit in this regard so as to identify areas where assistance is required. Once this audit is finalized, provinces will be offered individual assistance in a bid to ensure implementation and compliance.
5.Yes, the Minister will make a statement after the public hearings or monitoring sessions that PanSALB will conduct with all National Departments, National Public Entities and National Public Enterprises.