Participants gain insights and skills in editing and promoting their native language. Photo: Evidence Mongwe
By Isaack Duba – ULpublication@ul.ac.za
Access to information is a critical issue in South Africa, and the University of Limpopo (UL) is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that communities receive information in languages they understand, particularly those that prefer indigenous languages
As part of this mission, UL actively engages in initiatives that support the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages.
In a recent effort to bridge the digital language divide, UL collaborated with key stakeholders, including the SWiP Project, the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR), Wikipedia, and the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), to host a workshop themed ‘Preserving Languages: Open, Free, and Accessible Knowledge for All’.
The course facilitators from different stakeholders.
The workshop aimed to empower students and staff, particularly from the Faculty of Humanities, by equipping them with practical skills in editing and creating online content in indigenous languages. Targeting both undergraduate and postgraduate students, the event focused on correcting, editing, and enhancing Wikipedia articles written in languages such as Tshivenda, Northern Sotho, and Xitsonga.
Dr Johannes Rammala
Dr Johannes Rammala, from the School of Languages and Communication Studies at UL, underscored the urgent need to increase the visibility of indigenous languages on digital platforms. “Most of our languages, particularly in academic institutions, are underrepresented on Wikipedia,” he noted. “We have therefore engaged with communities to collect indigenous knowledge in the form of language corpora, and we are now helping students contribute meaningfully to language development.”
The workshop provided participants with hands-on experience in editing language-specific errors and creating Wikipedia articles in their mother tongues. This not only enhances language accuracy online but also contributes to preserving linguistic heritage in a digital format.
Nsuku Mtileni, Chief Language Practitioner at PanSALB, emphasised the importance of language representation across all ethnic groups. “Languages must be safeguarded and promoted,” he stated. “Our role at PanSALB is to ensure the accuracy of indigenous language usage, empowering participants to correct misinformation and preserve linguistic integrity.” He commended UL for raising awareness among its students and staff, noting that the knowledge shared will extend into the wider community.
Workshop facilitator Lesele Matete (Wikipedian) guided participants through the technical process of creating and editing Wikipedia articles. “On the first day, students translated articles from English into their indigenous languages and were tasked with writing their own articles in their home languages, accompanied by relevant images,” he explained. “On the second day, they uploaded their images to Wiki Commons and created structured Wikipedia entries, complete with references, categories, and internal links.”
According to Matete, the goal was to create well-researched, accurate, and culturally significant digital content that preserves indigenous languages for future generations. Participants included a diverse range from undergraduates to PhD candidates, resulting in high-quality contributions that reflect authentic linguistic expression.
Jessica Chauke, a final-year BA Languages student, praised the workshop’s impact on her academic journey. “This programme has truly helped me,” she said. “I now feel confident writing in my native language and contributing to its promotion. It has equipped me with the tools I need for postgraduate study and beyond.”
Participants of the SWiP project composed of students from the School of Languages and Communication Studies, and the School of Education at UL. Photo : Evidence Mongwe