CITY OF TSHWANE
The heartbeat of diversity
The City of Tshwane embraces and works towards multilingualism. For instance, the Language Policy, drafted by the Language Services Unit, was adopted on 2 August 2007. This policy is aimed at enabling the residents of Tshwane to communicate with the Municipality and access municipal services in the language they understand best. It also provides guidelines on how the Municipality must implement multilingualism to ensure that all residents have access to information and municipal services.
The City of Tshwane has adopted six languages as its languages of communication, namely -
- Afrikaans;
- English;
- isiZulu;
- Sepedi;
- Setswana; and
- Xitsonga.
An effort is also made to use the other official languages of the Republic of South Africa, including South African Sign Language, on request.
The Language Policy outlines the following strategies to promote multilingualism in Tshwane:
Translation and editing: An in-house service is offered in the above six languages.
Terminology development: Terminology is developed continuously in the in-house languages. Terminology development, especially in the African languages, contributes to reducing the lack of terminology and fast-tracking translation.
Interpreting services: Interpreting is provided and affords residents of Tshwane the opportunity to participate in decision making. The Language Services Unit facilitates interpreting services at disciplinary hearings, Council and city planning meetings and all other forums where required.
Language training: This service is offered to enhance employees' English language skills so as to improve their performance. Training is offered on writing reports, business letters, agendas and minutes, among other things.
Language policy management: Language policy management focuses on supporting the implementation of the Language Policy in innovative ways, for instance through monitoring and evaluation, language awareness campaigns and language audits or surveys.
The Language Services Unit is here to serve. Working together we can contribute to building a united and inclusive society.
For more information on the Language Policy, please contact
Landela Nyangintsimbi
Tel: 012 358 4762
Fax: 012 358 7453
Email: landelan@tshwane.gov.za.
Language Policy
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