Chapter 1: Founding Provisions
Languages
6.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
The official languages of the Republic are Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati,
Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu.
Recognising the historically diminished use and status of the indigenous languages
of our people, the state must take practical and positive measures to elevate the
status and advance the use of these languages.
(a) The national government and provincial governments may use any particular
official languages for the purposes of government, taking into account usage,
practicality, expense, regional circumstances and the balance of the needs and
preferences of the population as a whole or in the province concerned; but the
national government and each provincial government must use at least two
official languages.
(b) Municipalities must take into account the language usage and preferences of
their residents.
The national government and provincial governments, by legislative and other
measures, must regulate and monitor their use of official languages. Without
detracting from the provisions of subsection (2), all official languages must enjoy
parity of esteem and must be treated equitably.
A Pan South African Language Board established by national legislation must—
(a) promote, and create conditions for, the development and use of –
(i) all official languages;
(ii) the Khoi, Nama and San languages; and
(iii) sign language; and
(b) promote and ensure respect for—
(i) all languages commonly used by communities in South Africa, including
German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Portuguese, Tamil, Telegu and Urdu; and
(ii) Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit and other languages used for religious purposes
in South Africa.
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