Issued by: Ministry of Education
STATEMENT BY PROF S M E BENGU, MINISTER EDUCATION
There has been a rising tide of grassroots disenchantment and anxiety among Afrikaans-speaking communities, based on the misconception that the government is not protecting linguistic and cultural diversity in the education system, and that a campaign is being waged to eliminate the Afrikaans language and culture in schools. It is because of our bitter experience of cultural domination under the previous dispensation that this government would want to assure the Afrikaans speaking community that it has nothing to fear from the new, non-racial education system.
I recently held a meeting with President Mandela to brief him about how I was dealing with this situation. I informed the President about two important initiatives, the first being a national dialogue about language and culture in education and the second being mediation in the Potgietersrus crisis. These initiatives clearly demonstrate this government's sensitive and pragmatic approach in dealing with the transformation of our education system.
During my term of office I have held several discussions with a variety of political and cultural groups representing Afrikaner communities. On the 20th January 1996 I held a meeting with General Viljoen of the Freedom Front. We agreed to set up a joint Task Group to look at the issued of language and culture in education. I have already assigned the Director-General of education, Dr Manganyi to co-ordinate this Task Group and I await the names of members of other parties who will be part of these discussions. Any proposals on how discussions about these matters should be taken up, must be tabled before this Task Group.
I am deeply concerned by the conduct of certain parents at the Potgietersrus Primary School. I have designated senior officials of my department to co-ordinate an early mediation effort aimed at avoiding further confrontation and promote nation-building and reconciliation. These officials will engage in discussions with the Provincial Government and the aggrieved parties with the view, to finding meaningful solutions to the present problems, which are in the best interest of all the children, and which give effect to the provisions of the constitution and the rulings of our courts.
The Department of Education published a discussion document in November 1995 entitled "Towards a Language Policy in Education", which promotes multilinguilism in the education system and which removes all forms of linguistic discrimination. I therefore encourage the public to comment on this document in order that the policy we adopt will reflect the interests of a broad range of communities. In the meantime the language policy in any particular public school ought to be determined in consultation between the governing body of the school and the provincial education authorities, in terms of the circumstances and language requirements of that school community, the language policy and laws of the province, the relevant national norms, and the requirements of the Constitution.
I wish to assure all communities that this government is committed to creating sufficient legal, political, linguistic and cultural space for all our varied peoples to live in peace together. Our Constitution forbids cultural exploitation and provides for the protection and advancement of all our cultures, and the development of all our languages.
The possibility of damage to reconciliation and nation-building will be reduced if conflicts are negotiated, and if principled compromises are sought within the ambit of our constitution. I call upon all parties concerned to adopt this approach in dealing with the sensitive matters of language and culture in education.
For further information please contact Lincoln Mali at 083 251 4044 or (021) 457 350 March 4 1996