DUT’s Department of Journalism recently hosted a lecture titled “Culture, Language and Media” with special guest Professor Nogwaja Shadrack Zulu, who is a member of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural Religious and Linguistic Communities.

Professor Zulu is also the Dean of the School of Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

In keeping with Heritage Month, the lecture was aimed at encouraging young journalists on their role as the watchdog of society, how they can report on issues faced by their communities as well as issues of culture and heritage.

Zulu said heritage is culture, language, food, music and all the values one inherits from their forefathers. Prof Zulu said Ubuntu (humanity) is part heritage and journalists should learn to give back to their communities.

“Today’s media is filled with politics and big names but not the bread and butter issues we are facing in the country. We see political conflicts and they become clichés,” said Prof Zulu.

He said journalists use freedom of expression to ridicule politicians, briefly touching on President Jacob Zuma’s controversial paintings.
“Journalists and artists should ask themselves if this is what the world wants to see or hear. We have forgotten the ordinary person, kids walking long distances to schools, communities who still have no electricity proper sanitation and clinics,” he said.

Professor Zulu also emphasised the importance of heritage and South African diversity.

“One should always be careful how to report on matters of culture and why to report about heritage,” said Prof Zulu.

–Nomvula Sikakane
Pictured: Professor Nogwaja Zulu and Dr Rene Smith; DUT Journalism Programme Head.