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'African languages neglected'

2005-04-07 18:16

Cape Town - African languages were not spoken enough in schools, parliament, provincial legislatures, municipalities and other public and private institutions, said President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday.

He said: "This is one of the pressing issues with which our traditional leaders should be concerned."

Mbeki was addressing the national house of traditional healers in Cape Town.

Talking about the role the organisation could play in promoting language, tradition and identity, Mbeki said language was a critical factor in sustaining national identity.

"It contains the history of those who use it. It communicates the traditions, customs, the morals and values of the people."

'Afrikaans only language defended'

Mbeki said people could not stand idly by while their languages were facing decline, and used himself as an example of someone speaking a "foreign language" at the event.

Quoting from a Pan-South African Language Board report, Mbeki noted that the only indigenous language defended by its speakers was Afrikaans.

He said that, in addition to language, there were indications that African people, particularly in urban areas, did not organise and take part in festivals celebrating traditional songs and dance.

In the process, it was easier for the country's youth to identify with musicians from places they had never seen, and deal with issues foreign to their own situations and experiences.

"Invariably, this process inculcates an alien culture in many of our people."

Stamping out crime, HIV/Aids

Mbeki raised these issues because he felt the house had the leadership best placed to deal with matters of language, tradition and identity.

Mbeki also appealed to the organisation to consolidate efforts to stamp out crime and HIV/Aids, particularly in rural communities.

He commended the house for attempts at forming a continental body of traditional leaders, saying this was a positive development in realising the regeneration of the continent.

"Undoubtedly, there cannot be an African renaissance without the active participation of our traditional leaders who are the custodians of our history, tradition and customs."

- SAPA

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