The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) urges South Africans to embrace the values of multilingualism in commemoration of June 16

The Pan South African Language Board has called on all South Africans to embrace the values of multilingualism in paying homage to the Youth of 1976 and their fight for the right to language. The Board has pledged its full support of the recent plans announced by the Department of Basic Education to incorporate mother tongue-based education in schools and has hailed the move as one of the most significant gains of our democracy since that fateful day in June1976.

“June 16 is a reminder of a tragedy brought on by the belief that one language was more important than others. We should be careful therefore, not to purport any language as superior through our general unwillingness to reconfigure the linguistically hegemonious nature of teaching our children, conducting business, and offering services to our communities” said PanSALB Acting CEO, Mr Xolisa Tshongolo.

“June 16 offers a chance for us to pay homage to the Youth of ‘76 who sacrificed their wellbeing and lives so that we may live in a society that is democratic, inclusive and actively seeks to promote our linguistic diversity and the values of multilingualism as envisioned in our Constitution. Today’s youth has not given up on transformative ideal as we saw demands for the inclusive decolonized education during the #Feesmustfall movement. The Youth of today shall continue to influence policy direction through practical recognition of benefits of mother language education for advancement of our democracy. Stronger efforts for language rights in our education system through embracing mother language education beyond foundation phase must now be advanced. The struggle to a right to a language and right of a language continues” he concluded. 

Source: Government of South Africa