Use of Official Languages Amendment Bill: Draft for Comment

Posted 26 January 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Sport, Arts & Culture

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Sport, Arts & Culture has issued a notice calling for public comment on the draft Use of Official Languages Amendment Bill. The proposed legislation seeks to centralise the monitoring of language policies under a single regulatory body.

In terms of the Use of Official Languages Act, No. 12 of 2012, national government departments, national public entities, and national state enterprises are required to adopt and implement official language policies. The draft Amendment Bill proposes significant shifts in the oversight and reporting structures governing these obligations.

Proposed Regulatory Changes

The draft Bill designates the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) as the sole authority responsible for monitoring the use of official languages for government purposes. This amendment would effectively remove the Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture from the monitoring process, although the Minister will remain responsible for reporting to Parliament on the implementation of the Act.

Under the proposed framework, affected institutions will be required to:

  • Report exclusively to PanSALB regarding the development and adoption of language policies;
  • Adhere to monitoring standards set solely by the Board; and
  • Participate in public consultations scheduled for 10 and 11 March 2026.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Professional advisors to state organs should note the shift in regulatory oversight to PanSALB for future compliance auditing and legal opinions regarding language policy implementation.
  • For your business: Firms providing compliance or legal services to national public entities must update their regulatory calendars to account for the March 2026 consultation deadlines and the potential change in reporting lines.
  • For your clients: National government departments and state enterprises must prepare to transition their language policy reporting and compliance documentation exclusively to the Pan South African Language Board, rather than the Ministry.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/use-of-official-languages-input-sought-on-draft-amendment-bill

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