In line with this, Mandela University’s Department of Languages and Literature within the Faculty of Humanities hosted a celebration of linguistic diversity in the University’s auditorium on South Campus. Students and staff gathered to enjoy poem recitals delivered in nearly all 12 of South Africa’s official languages.
Lifa Kibungu and Mbasa Gogotya in action.
The multilingual recitals, ranging from poignant reflections to riveting expressions about identity, captivated the audience, delivering a powerful message: language is not just a tool for communication, but the heartbeat of our culture.
The performances, which were met with ululations from various corners of the auditorium, provided a platform for both emerging and established poets to showcase their talents. They also served as a timely reminder of why our languages matter more than ever.
Programme director Khanyisa Zinto, Dr Zakhile Somlata and Professor Marius Crous, and Languages and Literature Lecturer Paulette Coetzee.
Professor Marius Crous, Director of the School of Language, Media, and Communication emphasised the importance of not only speaking our languages but also writing in our mother tongues. "The idea behind our mother tongues is not just to preserve our languages, but to showcase their vibrancy," he said. He added that our mother tongues are the first languages we are exposed to from birth, and they are as close to us as our own mothers.
International Mother Language Day holds particular significance due to a tragic event in Bangladesh in 1952, when four students were killed by police while protesting for the recognition of their mother tongue, Bengali, as an official language in the country.
The students' bravery became a symbol of cultural resistance and linguistic rights. In 1999, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day.
In celebration of this globally recognised day, Dr Zakhile Somlata, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Languages and Literature, reminded the audience of Nelson Mandela’s powerful words on the importance of language: “If you speak to a man in a language that he understands, that goes to his heart. If you speak in his language, that goes to his heart.”
Dr Somlata added that many scholars believe we must embrace linguistic diversity and promote multilingualism in all domains, including higher education.
“In our context, we need to critically consider the strategies needed to advance the promotion of multilingualism, Africanisation, and decoloniality for the realisation of inclusiveness, language equity, peace, and harmony. This programme is a step in the right direction and should be incorporated into our University calendar,” he said.