Khusela Diko, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies. Photos: Frans Nkhapele
By Rinae Manenzhe – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
The University of Limpopo (UL) has recently turned the spotlight on African languages, hosting a two-day seminar that encouraged journalists, students, and media leaders to rethink storytelling and the amplification of diverse voices in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape
In collaboration with the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), the Pan South African Language Board (PANSLAB), and the National Research Foundation (NRF), the 3rd Indigenous Language and Media Seminar, themed “Voices of the Village: Redefining Storytelling in a Digital Age”, brought together academics, community practitioners, and journalists to interrogate the role of indigenous languages in shaping media narratives and preserving culture.
Over the two days, keynote speeches and panel discussions explored how journalism can be reimagined through language, the role of inclusive media in promoting social cohesion, and the use of digital platforms to preserve and amplify local stories. The discussions were vibrant and sometimes provocative, grounded in a common belief that indigenous languages embody the heartbeat of communities.
Khusela Diko, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, set the tone in her keynote address, urging stronger collaboration with community broadcasters and ongoing support for indigenous language publications. She quoted Nelson Mandela, emphasising, “When you speak to someone in the language they understand, you are speaking to their minds, but when you speak in their language, you speak to their hearts.”
Thanyani Ravhura from the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), highlighted the importance of community media, stating, “The indigenous languages used in community radio and print promote social cohesion and nation-building. They inform, preserve, and provide identity.”
Mamogo Matlebyane from the Limpopo Office of the Premier, Stakeholder Management and Provincial Communication.
Mamogo Matlebyane from the Limpopo Office of the Premier, Stakeholder Management and Provincial Communication, cautioned that the digital divide and high data costs continue to exclude many from meaningful participation. “While the media informs, educates, and entertains, the digital divide leaves some people behind,” she observed.
Victor Kgomoeswana, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at UL
Victor Kgomoeswana, UL’s Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, emphasised the significance of pride and agency in language use. “Our languages remain inferior; to globalise them, we have to make use of them. Media practitioners have a responsibility to embrace and promote local languages,” he asserted
Julius Dantile, Executive Director of Languages at PANSLAB, encouraged delegates to embrace indigenous languages when sharing content on digital platforms. “Let’s make use of what we have as Africans and stop depending so much on others,” he said, reminding the audience of the value of self-reliance.
Lance Schultz, CEO of PANSALB
Lance Schultz, CEO of PANSLAB, echoed this call, stressing the importance of safeguarding South Africa’s linguistic diversity. He cautioned against the growing dominance of English in media spaces, warning that it risks silencing the country’s rich tapestry of local voices.
Dr Wonder Juniper, a lecture in Media Studies at UL.
The seminar also provided a platform for student engagement, allowing them to interact directly with the panellists. Dr Wonder Juniper, Lecturer in Media Studies at UL, called for more platforms where students can showcase their broadcasting and storytelling skills in real-world settings. Final-year student Masale Vanessa Mathekga reflected on what the event meant to her. “It was inspiring to hear professionals emphasise the value of our own languages in journalism. It bridged what we learn in class with what is happening in the industry.”