Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, urges South Africans to embrace and preserve their native languages
By Knowledge Mnisi | ulpublications@ul.ac.za
At the International Translation Day Conference, hosted by the University of Limpopo (UL), Honourable Gayton Mckenzie, Minister of  Sport, Arts and Culture, stressed the importance of preserving official languages to ensure accurate, undistorted communication Â
At the event, which was hosted in collaboration with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Minister Mckenzie highlighted the necessity of safeguarding all official languages.
Delivering the keynote address at the two-day event, themed Translation: An Art Worth Protecting’, Minister Mckenzie called on South Africans to take ownership of their native languages. He urged individuals and communities to empower themselves, and the youth to protect their languages as part of their cultural heritage, encouraging the promotion of linguistic diversity through careers in translation.
“Language is a fundamental aspect of our humanity,” Mckenzie said, “It allows us to generate complex meanings and share ideas across generations. The ability to communicate across thousands of years and countless generations is what has made civilisation itself.” He went on to praise the Official Languages Act 12 of 2012 as a commitment to promoting all 12 official languages, including South African Sign Language (SASL). However, he acknowledged that more could still be done: “We have not set the bar especially high since it only requires us to use at least three official languages in our national departments.”
The minister also commended translators for their pivotal role in bridging language gaps and fostering social cohesion. “You are the people who help those of us from vastly different cultures and backgrounds to understand one another,” he noted, underscoring the importance of translation, one of the modules offered by UL, Â in facilitating communication across cultures and enabling access to vital information.
International Translation Day, observed annually on 30 September, honours St Jerome, the patron saint of translators, who famously translated the Bible from Hebrew into Latin. The conference aimed to highlight the role of translation in fostering peace, understanding, and development.
Professor Richard Madadzhe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at UL
Professor Richard Madadzhe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at UL, appreciated the conference delegates for honouring the event. “We are delighted to have PanSALB and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture co-host this significant event. Translation has played a crucial role in enabling harmonious communication across different nations and cultures throughout history,” he said.
Lance Schultz, CEO of PanSALB, highlights the crucial role of translators in preserving cultural heritage and promoting multilingualism for social unity
Lance Schultz, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PanSALB, echoed Minister Mckenzie’s sentiments, emphasising the vital role of translators and interpreters in preserving linguistic diversity. “Translation is not just about converting words from one language to another,” Schultz remarked. “It is about preserving the essence of our cultural heritage and ensuring that our stories, knowledge, and traditions are accessible to future generations.”
Schultz further reaffirmed PanSALB’s commitment to supporting translators and promoting multilingualism as a means to foster social unity and mutual understanding in South Africa’s diverse society.
Delegates at the conference engaged in insightful discussions on the role of the South African Language Practitioners’ Council, the pursuit of translation equality, and the importance of quality in translation and interpretation. The insights were shared during various commission briefings and panel discussions.
MEC for Limpopo Department of Sport, Art, and Culture, Honourable Jerry Maseko, commends translators for bridging language gaps and fostering social cohesion, emphasising their role in cross-cultural communication
Amongst the dignitaries in attendance were Honourable Funani Jerry Maseko, MEC for Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, MEC for Limpopo Department of Education. The event provided a platform to celebrate the vital work of translators and the crucial role they play in fostering intercultural dialogue.
Some of the delegates engage in discussions on translation equality and the role of the SA Language Practitioners’ Council at the conference