The City of Cape Town is marking Language Activism Month by encouraging multilingual participation and reinforcing residents’ rights to access municipal services in their preferred language.
International Mother Language Day, observed globally on 21 February, places renewed focus on linguistic diversity and the role language plays in inclusion, participation and access to public services.
As part of this year’s observance, the City is inviting employees and residents to share words, phrases and sayings they have learned through daily interactions with colleagues and community members. Submissions, including short videos, will be collated by the City’s Language Services Unit and displayed on a digital platform to celebrate Cape Town’s linguistic diversity.
The initiative aims to showcase the city’s official languages and cultural heritage, while encouraging mutual respect and understanding across communities.
‘There are many sayings that are uniquely Capetonian, and as we interact and get to know one another, we also learn a little about each other’s language and culture. During this week we are giving participating employees and residents the opportunity to submit the sayings and words that they have learned from their colleagues to the City’s Language Services Unit, and also explain what it means. They can also submit videos. The unit will collate the material during the week and post it on a digital wall for all to see. We are hoping for colourful and interactive engagement.
‘Apart from being fun and inclusive, this activity also intends to remind us of our rich diversity and the beauty of our indigenous languages. Although many of us do not speak more than two languages, we do, over time, get to understand certain words and sayings, and can greet each other in the other person’s Mother Language. This builds inclusivity and mutual respect and understanding. I’m very excited to see the words, sayings, and idioms to appear on the virtual wall over the next few days,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.
The City’s Language Policy, approved in November 2021, ensures residents may communicate with the municipality in English, Xhosa or Afrikaans, in line with the Provincial Languages Act. Key municipal documents, including by-laws, formal motions, meeting notices and public participation materials, are made available in all three official languages.
In 2023, South African Sign Language was formally recognised as one of the country’s official languages through a constitutional amendment. The City provides Sign Language interpretation at Council meetings and makes this service available on request for public engagements, workshops and staff training sessions.
‘We have an external panel of interpreters to provide this service on request, and also, Sign Language interpreting happens at every Council meeting from an interpreting booth and is streamed to the public via a link on the City’s website. Interpreters are also available on request to assist at public participation meetings, staff training, City workshops, and any other public engagement where the service may be needed.
‘I want to remind the public that any person may use any of the Western Cape’s three official languages – English, Xhosa, or Afrikaans – when communicating with the City. This is to promote equal access to information and participation, and to promote multilingualism. Any person may request that an engagement happens in their preferred language, and for the content to be translated,’ said Alderman Uys.
Through its Language Services Unit, the City continues to provide translation, editing and interpreting services while working with national and provincial language bodies to promote inclusive governance and equal access to municipal processes.
