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African Languages

Speaking in tongues: The literary revolution rooted in Sepedi and Setswana
Friday
/ 27 September 2025

Speaking in tongues: The literary revolution rooted in Sepedi and Setswana

The quiet power of Moses Seletisa’s Sepedi poetry and Sabata Mokae’s Setswana novels

By Rolland Simpi Motaung
Doubts over successful implementation of mother-tongue school  instruction programme
Education
/ 8 April 2025

Doubts over successful implementation of mother-tongue school  instruction programme

The department of basic education has rolled out the programme for grade four learners in maths, science and technology

By Umamah Bakharia
A new app ‘speaks’ 50 African languages
Africa
/ 11 January 2023

A new app ‘speaks’ 50 African languages

The OpenG, a vocal assistant that responds to commands in local languages, improves accessibility for Africans who don’t read or write

By Ange Kumassi
Social employment could transform South African society
Opinion
/ 24 September 2022

Social employment could transform South African society

One example is the 1 000 literacy champions trained by Nal’ibali to encourage families and children to read together

By Katie Huston
How to pick good doctors: Why race, language and where people come from matter
Education
/ 14 June 2022

How to pick good doctors: Why race, language and where people come from matter

Opposition groups and others often argue that matric marks alone should determine whether someone gets into medical school – not factors such as race that people can’t control. But research finds that when it comes to making a good doctor, grades aren’t everything

By Jesse Copelyn
Children left speechless, denied identity
Education
/ 27 September 2020

Children left speechless, denied identity

Parents think it benefits children to lose their African language, but it leaves them lost instead

By Yandiswa Xhakaza
Use African languages to promote learning
Article
/ 19 March 2020

Use African languages to promote learning

The use of English in lectures can alienate and silence students because they feel inadequate

By Zimie Sigenu
Restore the languages of dignity
Opinion
/ 29 November 2019

Restore the languages of dignity

The value of indigenous languages is reflected in the isiZulu greeting, sawubona — we see you

By Danielle Hoffmeester
The pride in African languages
Article
/ 1 November 2019

The pride in African languages

Whether in comic books, novels or academic work, African languages are increasingly becoming the norm

By Athandiwe Saba
​Roll out the red carpet for SA’s indigenous languages
Article
/ 21 February 2019

​Roll out the red carpet for SA’s indigenous languages

Although English may not be the de facto talk of the town in South Africa, in written form it continues to dwarf others

By Jade Jacobsohn
Slice of Life: Determination is my language
Article
/ 12 October 2018

Slice of Life: Determination is my language

‘I was very afraid to speak English, but with her all the fear disappeared’

By Carl Collison
Speak more than one language? This is what it does to your brain.
Article
/ 29 May 2018

Speak more than one language? This is what it does to your brain.

Speaking more than one language could lead to better tests scores and even being a more empathetic person.

By Staff Reporter
The weekly pop sack: Triggered in good times and bad
Article
/ 10 March 2017

The weekly pop sack: Triggered in good times and bad

The internet was #blessed with images of Trevor Noah’s new Manhattan digs soon after he announced he’d be coming home for a show later this year.

By Kuntha Ndimande
​Languages speak of shared pasts
Article
/ 4 January 2017

​Languages speak of shared pasts

It’s not unusual to hear Nguni or a sprinkling of isiXhosa in the western part of Zimbabwe.

By Shoks Mzolo
Book affair aims to liberate writing and publishing from the monopoly
Article
/ 23 November 2016

Book affair aims to liberate writing and publishing from the monopoly

The first Abantu Book Festival is a journey to black publishers and authors writing in indigenous languages.

By Kwanele Sosibo
At a loss for words in vernacular
Article
/ 30 September 2016

At a loss for words in vernacular

This was the central message of Ngugi’s message — of alienation and injustice because of the use of language.

By Staff Reporter
Arts and Culture – Donald Molosi
Article
/ 20 September 2016

Arts and Culture – Donald Molosi

The anthology was published by New York City publisher, Mantle Books and drew praise from African writers such as Chika Unigwe and Helon Habila.

By Charmaine Revaka
English given equal status at Stellenbosch, made primary language of instruction at University of Pretoria
Article
/ 23 June 2016

English given equal status at Stellenbosch, made primary language of instruction at University of Pretoria

Stellenbosch has also committed to growing isiXhosa in effort to ‘facilitate social cohesion and promote inclusivity’.

By Thulani Gqirana
Letters to the editor: April 29 to May 5 2016
Article
/ 2 May 2016

Letters to the editor: April 29 to May 5 2016

Readers write in about Jeff Rudin and race, the immaculate conception, the use of the word ‘marijuana’ instead of ‘dagga’, and the use of expletives.

By Letters
Say it in plain (African) language
Article
/ 7 January 2016

Say it in plain (African) language

Pam Maseko, a senior lecturer in African language studies at Rhodes, tells Peter Vale about the fight for greater recognition of our languages.

By Peter Vale
SA is rich in undervalued languages, but greedy for more
Analysis
/ 3 September 2015

SA is rich in undervalued languages, but greedy for more

"We are such a multilingual country, but in government, when you hear people talk, you think we are a bilingual country"

By Neo Lekgotla
Lost in translation: ‘Hilarious’ mistakes can be dangerous, too
Analysis
/ 15 January 2015

Lost in translation: ‘Hilarious’ mistakes can be dangerous, too

There are many more issues to consider, but with common sense and respectful attitude, the rest will follow.

By Staff Reporter
Let’s speak the languages we dream in
Article
/ 16 October 2014

Let’s speak the languages we dream in

African writers must embrace their own tongues lest we drown in an English-dominated world.

By Staff Reporter
Children are lost without translation
Article
/ 4 October 2013

Children are lost without translation

Too few stories have been translated into African languages: let’s do something about it.

By Staff Reporter
The practicalities of implementing the policy will be difficult but the benefits are enormous
Article
/ 2 June 2013

The practicalities of implementing the policy will be difficult but the benefits are enormous

The practicalities of implementing the policy will be difficult but the benefits are enormous.

By Staff Reporter
Maths still best taught in English
Article
/ 2 June 2013

Maths still best taught in English

Benefits of bilingualism are offset by obstacles mother-tongue education has yet to overcome.

By Staff Reporter
Crossing the (African) language barrier
Analysis
/ 24 May 2013

Crossing the (African) language barrier

Every thinking white South African must have toyed with the idea of learning an African language. Few, however, have tried, writes Brent Meersman.

By Brent Meersman
SA print media ‘needs to explore growth of African languages’
Article
/ 27 February 2013

SA print media ‘needs to explore growth of African languages’

South Africans are hungry for news and stories in African languages, says veteran broadcaster Dumile Mateza.

By Staff Reporter
Our speech could unite us
Article
/ 10 August 2012

Our speech could unite us

Universities must help to create social cohesion by promoting the teaching of African languages.

By Staff Reporter
No image available
Article
/ 4 August 2011

Speaking of intellectualism

African languages must become mediums of instruction and not remain subjects only.

By Esther Ramani
No image available
Article
/ 1 August 2011

Finding the real culprit

Can we really blame English for the failure in our children’s learning?

By Elbie Henning
No image available
Article
/ 6 May 2011

A necessary conversation

African language proficiency is a worthy goal that can be achieved through an integrated approach at both school and university levels.

By Nan Yeld
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