Change the world

12/10/2021

Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: Master’s in isiXhosa graduate, Cingiswa Mbangwa, recently received the African Languages of Southern Africa (ALASA) VIA AFRIKA Postgraduate Award for her outstanding research.

Cingiswa (right), under the supervision of Prof Linda Kwatsha (left), received her Master’s degree cum laude with the title of her study being, ‘Uphononongo nzulu lwendlela yokuphila nokusetyenziswa kwamasiko nenkcubeko kaNtu njengesixhobo sokulwa ingcinezelo ngokudandalaziswa nguA.C.Jordan kwinoveli yakhe ethi Ingqumbo Yeminyanya.’ This loosely translates to ‘An in-depth study of the way of life and use of Indigenous culture as a tool to combat oppression by AC Jordan in his novel Anger of the Ancestors’

The award for “Outstanding contribution to knowledge in the domain of African Languages” was made in recognition of her significant contribution to African Languages, Linguistics and literatures in relation to theory/practice/methodology.

In her research, she indicated that, Jordan used the story as symbolism and allegory to display political setting in his novel.

The study scrutinised and examined the important role played by AC Jordan in the struggle for liberation of the African people in South Africa.

She chose Marxism theory and Antonio Gramsci’s theories as a framework, supporting the study to unveil political issues, discrimination, capitalism, colonialism, culture, collectivism, socialism and hegemony that are evident in the novel.

The award was made at the ALASA gala dinner, hosted by the University of Fort Hare and the Pan South African Language Board in East London. The CEO of VIA AFRIKA presented the award.

Contact information
Dr Linda Kwatsha
Head of Department
Tel: 27 41 504 1166
linda.kwatsha@mandela.ac.za