Soon, ‘nǐ hǎo’ could be the new ‘hello’
Mandarin to be taught in schools across Gauteng from as early as next year.
The Mail&Guardian reported in August that the Department of Basic Education has issued a notice to national and provincial education authorities informing them the Chinese language will be taught in local public schools as of January 2016.
On 10 November, various members of the Democratic Alliance (DA), Khume Ramulifo, Solly Msimanga and Graham Gersbach, debated in parliament this introduction in Gauteng public schools saying, among other concerns, that South Africa should first promote their indigenous languages.
Khume Ramulifho, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, said the focus should rather be on moving the 75 percent of dysfunctional schools to becoming schools of excellence.
Msimanga, DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Sports, felt the country’s official languages should rather be promoted.
“Our communities such as the Khoi, nama-Khoi and indigenous San languages have been lost and the department did not step in and try to protect and preserve almost ancient African languages,” he said.
Gersbach, DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Roads, agreed and said that “we should concentrate on teaching at least three of our official languages at every school before we try to add another foreign language”.
” If we are not able to accommodate our African languages in all our schools how can we practically now add Mandarin to the curriculum?” he asked.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, indicated that there are 25 000 learners waiting to be placed in schools across the province in 2016.
The DA will request the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) to probe the viability and practicability of teaching Mandarin in public schools.
Related articles:
• Protests due to empty promises – DA
• Mogale City’s tongue cut off?
• No metro for West Rand – for now
