Dr Thulisile Bhuda, a scholar of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), emphasises the urgent need for digital inclusion of African languages. Photos: Evidence Mongwe
By Isaack Duba – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
African languages are the heartbeat of communities, serving not only as a means of communication but also as a vessel for culture, identity, and memory
With this in mind, the Department of Languages and Linguistics, Translation and Interpreting at the University of Limpopo (UL) recently hosted the 26th African Language Association of Southern Africa (ALASA) Conference to address critical issues surrounding the protection, preservation, and promotion of African languages and literature.
Under the leadership of Prof Moffat Sebola, Associate Professor in African Languages at UL and Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), the conference was hosted in collaboration with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB). Held under the theme “African Languages Beyond Expansion and Preservation in the Digital Age”, the event brought together scholars, linguists, educators, and cultural activists to reflect on the future of indigenous languages in an increasingly digital world.
UL, which emphasises the development and teaching of African languages, used this platform to highlight its ongoing efforts and research in this area. Presentations from the university underscored how language shapes identity and collective knowledge, reinforcing the notion that as languages fade, so do the worldviews they embody.
UL Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Prof Richard Madadzhe, underscores the transformative power of language in shaping culture, knowledge, and identity.
Prof Richard Madadzhe, UL’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, reminded delegates of the central role languages play in people’s lives. “We are who we are, and who we are, because of the languages we speak,” he stated. He cautioned against the cultural cost of neglecting indigenous languages and expressed concerns about over-reliance on artificial intelligence for translation. “We must not place our faith in digital technologies that distort our languages. Let’s ensure these languages remain vibrant so that 200 years from now, our descendants will not forget their roots.”
Joyce Madiba, PanSALB Limpopo’s Senior Provincial Manager, echoed this sentiment. “When our languages are marginalised, our culture is also eroded,” she emphasised, highlighting the need for research, advocacy, and partnerships to preserve linguistic diversity in South Africa. She noted that PanSALB is actively promoting multilingualism through collaborations with academic and community stakeholders.
In her keynote, Dr Thulisile Bhuda, a scholar of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), challenged existing language policies. “Transformation is not decoration,” she asserted. “If African languages are not at the centre of education policies, we are not transforming, we are merely adjusting.” She also underscored the danger of digital silence, where African languages are excluded from online spaces. “If our languages are absent from search engines, software, or digital platforms, future generations will search for their identity and find nothing.”
Tshisikhawe Dzivhani from UL’s RDC, highlights the emotional toll and burnout faced by South African Sign Language interpreters in higher education.
Another impactful voice was Tshisikhawe Dzivhani, a South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreter at UL’s Reakgona Disability Centre. She provided a poignant insight into the emotional toll of interpreting in higher education. “It’s a brutal field,” she shared. “Many of us develop a thick skin early, but burnout is real. When interpreters resign, it’s the Deaf students who suffer.” Her remarks highlighted the urgent need for support and recognition of sign language professionals in academia.
Zodwa Nxumalo, a researcher from the University of Eswatini, presents research on integrating technology into SiSwati language teaching in secondary schools.
Adding a regional perspective, Zodwa Nxumalo, a researcher from the University of Eswatini, presented her work on integrating technology into SiSwati language instruction in secondary schools. While her findings revealed enthusiasm among educators to adopt digital tools, she also pointed out infrastructure shortcomings that hinder effective implementation. “We cannot discuss 21st-century learning without investing in both the language and the tools that support it,” she stated.
According to Rofhiwa Nengovhela, an academic at UL and a board member of ALASA, the conference recorded the highest turnout of new members to date, a reflection of effective marketing and publicity efforts. “More than 95% of attendees presented papers, and UL had the largest number of delegates compared to other institutions,” he noted.
The Local Organising Committee from UL and the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), the driving force behind the success of the 26th African Language Association of Southern Africa (ALASA) Conference.