A critical examination of the socio-onomastic controversy of Sepedi and Sesotho sa Leboa/ Northern Sotho language names and the role and effectiveness of the Commission for Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities.

Abstract

The article examines the failure to take action and implement effective measures in resolving the socio-onomastic controversy surrounding the Sepedi and Northern Sotho/Sesotho sa Leboa language names, while evaluating the effectiveness of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Commission) as a Chapter 9 institution in the matter. The research was conducted at five South African universities where the language is offered as a module. Employing a qualitative approach, the study primarily uses content analysis of data from constitutional documents and minutes from the Parliamentary Joint Constitution Review Committee. In addition, self-administered questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were employed to supplement the content analysis as qualitative. A purposeful sampling technique was used to select 267 participants, including students, lecturers, language authorities and experts from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, as well as its provincial departments in Limpopo and Gauteng provinces. The article establishes that the lack of intervention by the CRL Commission exacerbates non-compliance issues as far as dual use of these names is concerned. It further argues that the lack of compliance not only undermines linguistic rights, but also disregards South Africa’s constitutional democracy, which should be safeguarded. Practical and decisive measures, rooted in constitutional principles, are recommended to resolve the matter effectively