Indigenous languages need elevating

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, pictured, this week acknowledged that the renaming of former model C schools has stonewalled.

When it comes to this vital renaming project and incorporating our indigenous languages into former model C schools, the government has scored a well-deserved F symbol.

In order for our indigenous languages to be elevated, the government must make it obligatory for all black, white, Indian and coloured scholars to study at least one indigenous language.

Once that is done, the government should ask the naming committee of the University of Johannesburg how the university went about renaming its residences in 2015-16 and then promptly start a renaming programme of former model C schools that will incorporate indigenous languages.

Why can’t we have Hoërskool Robert Sobukwe or Laerskool Tshwaraganang? Let us as black people teach minorities our indigenous languages so that they, too, can see why it is that we love them so.

The onus also falls on minorities to take the initiative and learn indigenous languages as many black South Africans have learnt to read, write and speak English and Afrikaans. Just saying.

Johannesburg

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