MOTHER TONGUE LANGUAGE AS MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AND PROMOTION OF MULTILINGUALISM: THE SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGE POLICY

The main aim of this study focused on mother tongue language as medium of instruction and promotion of multilingualism. The study reviewed the South African Constitution, National Language Policy Framework, Revised National Curriculum Statement and the Language-in Education Policy, with the intention to compare certain promulgations on the issue of language use in South Africa. The constitution is unequivocal about the promotion of multilingualism and use of indigenous languages. Schools are viewed as the most productive ground toward the promotion of multilingualism, as stipulated by the South African Constitution, particularly urban schools which are multiracial, with learners from different linguistic background. Data was solicited from comparison of schools in urban areas with English and Afrikaans as medium of instruction and in rural areas with English and Setswana as medium of instruction. The study revealed that while the South African government is committed to promote multilingualism, the constitution and the Language-in-Education Policy are very good, but implementation of the stipulations of such documents is lacking. It was also established that a considerable number of former multiracial schools still offer the languages which were offered prior to the first democratic era. The study concluded that besides the permitted and wide usage of indigenous languages, their dignity and restoration also ought to be honoured.