Question NW2128 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
20 June 2022 - NW2128
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1159 on 4 May 2022, wherein he stated that the matter has been engaged extensively within the department and proposed amendments by the legal opinion to the definition of indigenous languages contained in the Policy Framework are underway (details furnished), he has found that the amendments that are currently underway with regard to the Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions are (a) consistent with the recommendation of the legal opinion and (b) designed to recognise Afrikaans as an indigenous language; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what is the deadline by which the amendments will be completed and formally gazetted?
Reply:
The recommended amendments to the Policy Framework are consistent with the recommendations of the legal opinion. Pre and post the amendment, the prime focus of the Language Policy has been and will always be an attempt at realising the Constitutional ideals of linguistic equality in post-apartheid South Africa.
Our primary objective is to extend to the historically marginalised African languages the same privilege historically enjoyed by Afrikaans and English as the exclusive languages of scholarship in pre-democratic South Africa. The definition of indigenous languages in the Policy Framework will be amended as per the legal advice received and there has never been dispute in the Language Policy Framework on the status of Afrikaans as an indigenous language.