Promote and safeguard local languages - Van der Westhuisen

Van der Westhuisen
Van der Westhuisen

Batswana should promote and safeguard local languages to avoid the risk of them disappearing, says Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Frans Van der Westhuisen.

He said this during the commemoration of the National Languages Day commemoration held in Middlepits last week. “Experts have advised that languages face the risk of disappearing should nothing be done to promote and safeguard them. The commemoration of the National Languages Day therefore is indicative of Government commitment to ensure that local languages do not disappear from our cultural heritage,” said Van der Westhuisen.

He also said the National Policy on Culture identified the preservation and promotion of languages as a vehicle for cultural expression, adding that Vision 2016 also encouraged Batswana to uphold the spirit of unity, tolerance and respect through the appreciation of each other’s languages and culture. He added that this was in line with UNESCO’s goal of adopting sustainable national language policies to achieve linguistic diversity and multilingualism.

Editor's Comment
UDC's 100 Days: Please deliver your promises!

We duly congratulate them to have ousted the long ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from power. Prior to taking power from the BDP, the coalition had made several election promises that are credited for influencing change and swaying the people to vote in its favour.The party had made an undertaking, which its leader and President Duma Boko consistently bellowed in his campaign trail. These undertakings were promises that Batswana would be...

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