Latest news with #Afrikaans'
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
MPs meet to address language exclusion in schools, but end up clashing over language use themselves
The committee chair reminded MPs that fighting over language use contradicted the work of the committee. Picture for illustration purposes only. Members of Parliament (MPs) at the Good Hope Chamber on 9 March 2023. Picture: Gallo Images/Die Burger/Jaco Marais On Thursday, the portfolio committee on basic education met to address allegations of language exclusion and racial profiling during admission processes in Western Cape schools, among other issues. However, they ended up fighting among themselves due to language use. EFF MP Lencel Komane had just started making his submissions in Sesotho when the newly appointed MK party MP, Siphetho Mkhize, raised a point of order. He said that although he understood it was Komane's right to speak his language, he also wanted the portfolio chair to know he could not understand a word of what Komane was saying. 'I want to put it on record that I cannot understand what he's saying,' said Mkhize. 'Undermining' This did not sit well with EFF MP Mandla Shikwambana, who called out Mkhize for his point of order. 'What point of order? He [Komane] has the right to speak his own language, and he [Mkhize] is undermining. He [Mkhize] can't raise a point of order because he can't understand, but must check if there is an interpretation. This is an official language,' said Shikwambana. ALSO READ: 80% of Grade 3 pupils cannot read for meaning in any language: Ramaphosa notes SA education's grim reality Things descended into chaos just before committee chair Sedukanelo Tshepo David Louw intervened. He said: 'Honourable Mkhize, you were wrong to just enter without raising your hand. We are allowed to speak, and we have an interpreter who is going to assist in terms of translating all languages. You are new to the committee, but we've been dealing with this situation; it's our culture, even parliamentary meetings, we do have interpreters, and when we do not have them, we find a means to explain. 'There is nothing wrong if anyone wants to communicate in their language. We're here dealing with Bela [Basic Education Laws Amendment] and language, we're speaking of indigenous languages that we must include as well, so let's not contradict our stance as the committee, because we want to explore and be exemplary.' 'All languages are equal' However, this did not defuse the situation, as Komane still came in with a few words of advice to Mkhize. 'It's something we need to learn. If you go to China, you must give yourself time to learn what the Chinese do. You must not go to China and hope the Chinese will change the rules of China. It is highly impossible,' said Komane. Shikwambana still did not understand why it was a black MP who was complaining about another black MP using their language while white MPs were quiet. ALSO READ: 'Every SA language should be protected' – Marc Lottering on Afrikaans' 100th anniversary 'What interpretation are we waiting for? Half of Komane's presentation was done in English. I feel very bad when this is done by Africans. He spoke English here, so what is it that this guy did not hear? Even these English people here are quiet; these Africans are the ones saying, 'I did not hear.' What is it that he did not hear because Komane spoke in English? We can't be treated like this by Africans as well. There is no language that is superior to another here. They're all equal,' he said. 'Racial profiling' in schools In the same meeting, MEC for education in the Western Cape, David Maynier, addressed MK party MP Pinky Mngadi's allegations that some schools in the province were racially profiling pupils in their admissions processes. ALSO READ: Gauteng schools face scrutiny over language and admissions policies 'How is the Department of Education addressing allegations of racial profiling in school admissions, and what action has been taken against schools that violate children's constitutional rights through language exclusion?' she asked. She said her party would write a letter calling for his removal 'to end this island they have created and the apartheid they are exercising'. Maynier dismissed the allegations, calling on parents or anyone with evidence of such incidents to come forward so that the department could launch an investigation into the matter. 'We do not tolerate racism in our schools and department. I want to be very clear about that. I would encourage, if any parent or MP has any evidence of a case, to please ensure that you lodge a complaint. If any parent has witnessed any case of discrimination, they should come forward, provide evidence of the allegation so that we can investigate the matter,' said Maynier. READ NEXT: Language or legacy: Afrikaans at a crossroads after 100 years
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
New Afrikaans birthday song campaign celebrates 100 years of the language
New Afrikaans birthday song campaign celebrates 100 years of the language Afrikaans celebrated its 100th anniversary as a national language on 8 May. In light of this, a 'proudly Afrikaans' insurance company is questioning if it's time for another version of 'Veels Geluk, Liewe Maatjie'. They are launching a nationwide campaign to create a brand-new Afrikaans birthday song. 'Something memorable, meaningful, and proudly local. A song that can be sung at every birthday, by anyone who loves Afrikaans.,' said Morné van Emmenes, head of marketing at Virseker. 'We're inviting all South Africans to help write it. Whether you're a poet, rapper, student, singer, or just someone who loves the language – share your lyrics, ideas, audio, videos or even voice notes. The only rule? It must be proudly and powerfully Afrikaans,' said Van Emmenes. Participants have the chance to win hampers and shopping vouchers. A panel of iconic artists – including Sonja Heroldt, Early B, Karen Zoid and Anton Goosen – will help decide which ideas will inspire the final version. Visit for helpful tips and to join the movement. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
The Voet'Tsekkers fly while Afrikaans turns 100
Perhaps the most unforgivable part of the Great Trek 2025 edition of 49 Afrikaner refugees (five more than Charlize Theron's... Newly arrived South Africans during welcome statements by US officials in Dulles, Virginia on May 12, 2025. Picture: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP Perhaps the most unforgivable part of the Great Trek 2025 edition of 49 Afrikaner refugees (five more than Charlize Theron's 2022 census), clad in their down jackets and toting their bespoke luggage on a chartered flight to freedom in the US, was that the clamour last week overshadowed a far more important milestone. On Thursday, 8 May, it was 100 years since the great writer CJ Langenhoven introduced a Bill in parliament for Afrikaans to be recognised as one of the country's two official languages. It's still an official language to this day, albeit with 11 others. Afrikaans' trajectory from kombuistaal to an official language used to defend academic theses and highly complex legal arguments has been a benchmark for all indigenous tongues. The language has been robustly promoted and protected by white speakers throughout its history, but they only make up about 40% of the people who actually speak it as a first language. It's South Africa's third-most used language, spoken by almost 13% of the population and when you look at its representation in literature, film, culture and advertising, it's second only to English which, ironically, is the mother tongue of less than eight percent of the population, ranking sixth in the official language table. ALSO READ: Second chance for Amerikaner 'refugees' Afrikaans has been a success story by any metric, much like white Afrikaners themselves. In terms of their representation in the formal job market, ownership of businesses, directorships and, of course, agriculture, they have proven – as so many African nationalists have said over and over – how affirmative action can really benefit a group of people, so many of whom were unemployable, unskilled and poverty stricken when the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, which continued to weigh heavily upon the minds of their leaders well beyond the end of World War I – and definitely after 1948. In 1960, Harold MacMillan rattled white South Africans when he told them in no uncertain terms about the Wind of Change blowing through Africa. Three years before, MacMillan had shocked Britons when he told them they'd never had it so good. It's a truth that quietly resonates for all the Afrikaners who remain here, just as it does for all their other white compatriots who aren't leaving. That's why 187 years since Piet Retief left Makhanda for freedom, the 49 now have their own name from those they left behind; the Voet'Tsekkers. God bless Afrikaans. NOW READ: Afrikaner 'refugees' spot a ruse
