Newrene Klaaste, a member of South Africa’s Parliament, calls for urgent action to implement a bilateral agreement on preserving the Nama language with Namibia. During her visit to Windhoek, she warns that the language’s cultural significance could fade without concerted efforts. The South African delegation seeks to learn best practices for improving legislative processes and strengthen ties with Namibia. Klaaste highlights the importance of safeguarding the language for future generations while addressing historical injustices faced by the Nama community.
A member of the South African Parliament, Newrene Klaaste, has emphasized the pressing need to implement a bilateral agreement between Namibia and South Africa aimed at preserving the Nama language. During her speech in Windhoek, she cautioned that without proactive measures, this crucial aspect of the region’s cultural heritage could face extinction. Klaaste stressed the importance of evaluating the progress of this agreement, warning that neglecting the Damara-Nama language could lead to its disappearance.
Klaaste’s remarks were made as part of a visit by a high-level delegation from South Africa, which consists of 19 legislators, the secretary to the legislature, and 20 officials. They are in Namibia to benchmark practices related to legislative oversight, public engagement, law-making, and resolution tracking, which could potentially enhance their own governmental practices. The visit also aims to cultivate stronger ties and collaborative efforts between the two nations.
In asserting the significance of the agreement, Klaaste stated, “This is not just about culture; it is about ensuring that future generations inherit their rightful linguistic and historical identity.” She urged that the agreement must lead to concrete actions rather than remaining a simple document.
Highlighting the historical injustices experienced by Nama-speaking communities in South Africa, Klaaste pointed out that many were forcibly displaced during apartheid. She asserted that safeguarding the Nama language is essential to restore their heritage. To further enhance cooperation, Klaaste proposed the creation of an exchange program between the parliaments of Namibia and South Africa to facilitate knowledge transfer and collaborative strategies.
In conclusion, Newrene Klaaste’s call for the implementation of the bilateral agreement on the Nama language highlights critical cultural preservation efforts. By fostering collaboration between Namibia and South Africa, the initiative strives to ensure that future generations retain their linguistic and historical heritage, while also addressing the historical injustices faced by Nama-speaking communities. Active involvement from both governments is essential to effect tangible outcomes from this agreement.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
