26 Feb 2015

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen says government is committed to preserving local languages.

Speaking at Middlepits recently during the commemoration of the national languages day, Mr Van Der Westhuizen said the commemoration was indicative of government commitment to ensuring that local languages do not disappear.

He said Vision 2016 also encouraged Batswana to uphold the spirit of unity, tolerance and respect through the appreciation of each other’s languages and cultures. The assistant minister said it was in that spirit that government recognises that local languages need to be developed to enhance cultural identity and social cohesion.

He called upon educationists, publishing houses and researchers to help in the promotion and use of local languages, paying particular attention to local languages.

The assistant minister also applauded Batswana that unlike other nations they have progressed beyond tribalism and ethnic tensions which are normally caused by culture and language.

For his part, the representative of Kgalagadi District at Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Kgosi David Toto concurred with the assistant minister that there was need to preserve local languages as that would help preserve culture.

He urged attendees to learn each other’s languages so that they live harmoniously.

Kgosi Toto said Kgalagadi District has different tribes which live peacefully because they have learned each other’s language and culture.

Kgalagadi district has six major languages being Sengologa, Setlharo, Seherero, Sesarwa, Sekgothu and Afrikaans.

He said when people use their mother tongue they have a sense of dignity adding that different languages need to be taught at school, used as a medium of communication on television and radio so that everybody feels appreciated.

The theme of the day was, ‘My Language, my Pride.’   ENDS