Why English – towards a new South African Culture

For the past 15 years a vital battle has been raging in the multi-lingual South African society for the adoption of a cohesive language as medium of instruction in general education. Adversaries in the language wars are as diverse as our country’s population groups, as varied as our cultures and as distinctive as our numerous languages. The largest faction is represented by the proponents of sectional bilingualism model based on language densities as depicted by the demographics of our country. South Africa is on the other hand, faced with the transformation of a deeply divided society in modern times. The use of a unifying medium of instruction in schools cannot be deferred any longer. The creation of a democratic South Africa with a singularity of citizenship, uniformity of identity and commonality of culture, demands a common medium of instruction language – English. Our cities are centralized growth nodes and are as modern and cosmopolitan as other world cities. The suburban communities are no longer easily distinguishable as before. Cities have become melting pots of diverse cultures with uniquely new associations. Learners in the urban nodes do not have an obvious primary language other than the language used as medium of instruction in school. Suburban schools and township schools lately, are natural/logical outflows of this trend that makes English the fashionable language of choice. Why is this happening? A new success-driven citizen has been emerging, depicted by the trend to move to the suburbs, inner city flats and affluent northern suburbs. A progressive identity was conversely created through the attendance of the English medium school, with better pass rates and high tertiary acceptance. Parents are acutely aware that the intrinsic skills required for their children to make an impact in the 21st century lies within the dogma of English as medium of instruction in school. This class is aware (Baily,2005) of the influence English asserts socio-political and techno-scientific spheres. Smart parents know to succeed in a global world dominated by English is to join the new realms of social activity and social power. Finally, the successful formation of a unitary, uniquely South African culture, calls to action the dismantling of archaic beliefs that has no moral or ethical standing in a modern society. Survival in the future demands that we move away from class and power impoverishment, which is entrenched in indigenous languages. It is not wrong; in fact it is justified to join the swell of parents opting for English as a medium of instruction for their children. Bilingual or multilingual education is exorbitantly expensive; the only viable option with certain long term returns is undoubtedly English!