PNC Workshop 24/10/2006

Question 1 PNC – to facilitate socio-economic development of society through ICTs From the public: To find the gaps Infrastructure (ICT) Level of access ICT literacy solutions

PNC Solution: advisory recommendation Status: both formal and informal

DOC Develop policies – they need to be available in all languages Information about accessibility to the public: Telecommunication service delivery such as: post offices, telephone Affordability: expensive or not? A challenge that need to be investigated Coordination between PNC and DOC

DOC Both formal and informal e.g. policies are formal Mode and medium: Electronic (internet,telecentres, public information terminal Multipurpose community centres Broadcasting Sign language (outsourcing) Print Road show – for e-awareness

DOC Verbal and oral Pamphlets Challenges: Translation of information into local languages (because non is in local languages)

SITA Clients: Government departments (websites) Deal with the public through these departments. What can the SITA do to enhance its services to both government and the public? SMS application initiative to help the public. Have developed text-to-speech for isiZulu and Southern Sotho. It has not been distributed to the public yet.

SITA  Supportive formal information  Electronic: internet, website, fax, , sms  Print  Seminars (verbal)  Challenges: to work together with clients in order that information reach the public

DWAF (Water affairs and forestry) Language unit is new in this department Falls under internal communication Three language practitioners: one for English and Afrikaans, one for Nguni languages and one for Sotho group. Editors and Translators There is no direct interaction with the public, but through communications directorate.

DWAF Information concerning forestry and water services Want to find how they can correspond with the public Formal Telephone, internet, , web intranet (inside clients) Print

DWAF Challenges: Have own directorate Staffing Expanding in local languages

DAC Diverse department with various sections Advertisements to people to come forward with particular projects In the National Language Services there is translation, language policy and development. Foreign languages Provides promotional and formal information

DAC Don’t actually need something directly from the public. But the challenges have been identified Terminology development – standardisation (do people accept these terms?) HLT is also a challenge

DAC Written and Spoken Telephonically, electronically, posters, fax Celebration of events, e.g. heritage day Challenges: HLT Sign language and interpreting Terminology data base

DAC Freelance transation No legislation to enforce the language policy Lack of understanding of the non language management

DOE Textbooks in mother tongue Mother-tongue teaching How much can mother-tongue teaching improve learning Local radio stations can help in the delivery Target: teachers, parents, business Formal information

DOE Spoken and written All media depending on the target audience Challenges: Needs more staff More translation to African languages Quality control of the translated material into African languages Lack of standard terminology Lack of good African Language dictionary

DSD (SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT) To serve the poorest of the poor What kind of services are offered in the department Social security – different types Welfare services – poverty alleviation programmes Radio, TV, newspaper are used to communicate with the public

DSD Both formal and informal e.g. imbizos are informal Print (publicity material, newspaper, posters, letters) Electronic (Fax, website, , cellphone, radio, TV) Verbal (workshops, conferences, seminars, imbizos) and door-to-door campaign Inability to use Braille Translation is a challenge Budget

DSD Challenges: Specialised unit that have language specialists Translation service Budget used for campaigns Research capacity in ICTs Sustainable projects Legislation to enforce language policies

Wish list DOC To have ICT information available in all languages Affordability to all users DWAF To workshop service providers To have access to the localized keyboards

Wish list Increase budget and staff Local radio stations to promote local languages Consultation services for verification for certain terms DOE National language services serving the whole nation Implementing language policy

Wish list DSD Specialised language unit which is centrally coordinated Instrument (legislative or non legislative) to enforce language policy To have information centers accessible to all communities