Use of Official Languages Act, 2012 (Act No. 12 of 2012)

Although English is the principa language of business, the DBSA shall endeavour to promote the predominant languages in its provincial jurisdiction of Gauteng, namely IsiZulu, Sesotho, Setswana and Afrikaans. (To minimise the number of languages - it is advisable to use Southern Sotho for the Sotho cluster languages and IsiZulu for the Nguni language cluster. This will then be limited to three languages as the majority of the people understand these languages). The language used could also be determined by the language used in a specific Province the Bank communicates with.

In community or stakeholder engagements, i.e., project or site visits, in provinces outside Gauteng, the DBSA should also endeavour to source local interpreters.

The four languages may be used in public notices and announcements, promotional/marketing written material or signage as well as in oral communication when the Bank interacts with stakeholders/clients or communities. The Bank must organise translation or interpreting services in such instances.

English will be the official language used in official documents such as government reports, legal documents, in hearings and other official proceedings unless a specific request has been made to produce such documents or conduct such proceedings in other languages. In such a case, the DBSA will endeavour to produce such documents/ conduct such proceedings in that language as requested.

The Bank would require a period often (10) working days to consider a formal request that has been made by a member of the public for a specific language not catered for in this policy. A request of this nature must be sent to the DBSA's Communication, Marketing and Events Unit to the following e-mail: [email protected]

In terms of the SADC region, the Bank should prioritise on the predominant official languages used in the region including Portuguese, French and Kiswahili. In addition, marketing or promotional material in the  predominant SADC languages, ie., French, Portuguese, Kiswahili, etc. must also be availed. Again, the Bank will be expected to organise translation services. Any of the SADC official languages may be used, upon request by clients/partners or when necessary, in:

In delegation visits by large foreign emissaries or overseas partner organisations whose official language is not English, the DBSA should organise interpreters to provide verbal interpretation in proceedings, whenever possible if there are no budget constraints i.e., signing agreements, conferences.