The Western Cape Language Committee (WCLC) is a public entity mandated with monitoring the use of the three official languages (Afrikaans, isiXhosa, and English) of the Western Cape province of South Africa and the implementation of the Western Cape Language Policy as well as advising the Minister tasked with language matters and the Pan South African Language Board on language matters in or affecting the province.
The Western Cape Language Committee (WCLC) was established in 1998 in accordance with the Western Cape Provincial Language Act, Act No 13 of 1998.
Responsibilities
- Ensuring the equal status of the three official languages (Afrikaans, isiXhosa, and English) of the Western Cape province
- Monitoring the use of the official languages by the provincial government of the Western Cape province
- Advising the Minister on language matters
- Actively promoting the development of previously marginalised indigenous languages, including South African Sign Language (SASL)
- Promoting multilingualism
- Advising the Pan South African Language Board on language matters affecting the Western Cape
In terms of section 17 of the Western Cape Provincial Languages Act, 1998, officials in the Language Services component of the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport perform the administrative work of the Western Cape Language Committee.
Vision
The empowerment of all the people of the Western Cape province through language, the enhancement of human dignity through mutual respect for language, and the promotion of multilingualism.
Mission
To monitor the use of the three official languages of the Western Cape province, monitor the implementation of the Western Cape Language Policy, and advise the MEC, tasked with language matters, and the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) on language matters in or affecting the province.
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
| Chairperson: | Genevieve Lentz |
| Deputy Chairperson: | Gregory Allen Grootboom |
| Board Members: | – Riaan Baartman – Zukile Jama – Laurian Lesch – Sisipho Makambi – Micarlo Malan – Stevlyn Vermeulen – Esau Willemse |
| CEO: | n/a |
| CFO: | Brenda Rutgers |
| Senior Management: | Gadija Abdullatief |
| Communications Officers: | Tania Colyn |
Contact Details
The contact details of the Western Cape Language Committee are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | 3rd Floor, Protea Assurance Building, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town, 8000 |
| Postal Address: | Private Bag X9067, Cape Town, 8000 |
| Telephone: | – 021 483 3889 – 021 483 0073 |
| Email: | dcas.language@westerncape.gov.za |
| Website: | www.westerncape.gov.za/cas/service/western-cape-language-committee |
