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On 4 June 2005 the Western Cape Language Committee held a certificate ceremony signalling the end of the 5-year research process on Khoisan languages. The need for this research was identified at "Poem se Voetrus" near Oudtshoorn in November 2000. During the past five years members of the Khoisan community in the Western Cape participated in research on Khoisan languages and 18 workshops on the Nama language were held in six different regions of the province. This five-year process has culminated in the production of a research report on Khoisan languages and a booklet and CD comprising a basic introduction to the Nama language. On 13 and 14 November 2005 the Language Committee will be holding consultative workshops with representatives of the Khoisan communities who participated in the above-mentioned processes to get their input on a long-term (3 to 5 year) strategy for the further promotion and development of Khoisan languages in the Western Cape. Such strategies should be based on the principle of building on what had been done in the first 5-year process, i.e. how to use the material produced. Representatives from PanSALB (Pan South African Language Board), the National Khoe and San Language Body, and Ms Nomvula Mbangela, Department of Arts and Culture co-ordinator for the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape, will be invited to give their input in an attempt to strengthen ties and co-operation between the different organisations. The workshop will be held at the Southern Comfort Western Horse Ranch near Knysna. |
