Newrene Klaaste, an MP from South Africa, has urged immediate action to enforce a bilingual agreement focused on preserving the Nama language between Namibia and South Africa. She stressed that the language is at risk of extinction without cooperative efforts. Highlighting the historical injustices faced by Nama-speaking communities during apartheid, Klaaste advocated for tangible outcomes from the agreement and proposed an exchange program for better collaboration.
A South African MP has emphasized the need for swift measures to implement a bilateral agreement designed to protect the Nama language between Namibia and South Africa. During a recent address in Windhoek, Newrene Klaaste, the speaker of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, cautioned that without collaborative efforts from both nations, this integral aspect of cultural heritage risks extinction.
Klaaste pointed out that bilateral agreements with Namibia focus on education and the preservation of the Nama language. She insisted on the necessity to evaluate the progress of this agreement, expressing concern that the Damara-Nama language could vanish without proactive preservation efforts.
Her comments were made during a visit by a South African delegation to Namibia, aiming to benchmark best practices in legislative functions including oversight and public participation. The delegation comprises 19 legislative members along with the secretary and 20 officials, all collaborating to enhance legislative processes.
Klaaste remarked, “This is not just about culture; it is about ensuring that future generations inherit their rightful linguistic and historical identity.” She stressed the importance of transitioning the agreement from a dormant document to an active framework for action by both governments.
Addressing historical grievances, Klaaste noted that Nama-speaking communities in South Africa, impacted by apartheid, require language preservation as part of their heritage restoration. To facilitate collaboration, she proposed an exchange program between the two parliaments to promote knowledge sharing and strategy development.
The call for implementing the Nama language agreement highlights the urgency of collaborative action between Namibia and South Africa to protect linguistic heritage. Klaaste’s emphasis on education, cultural identity, and historical justice underscores the significance of proactive measures to ensure the survival of the Nama language for future generations. Establishing exchange programs could further enhance cooperation between the neighboring nations.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
