The Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted a cultural celebration to honour the International Mother Language Day at City Campus, Arthur Smith Hall, on Thursday, 21 February 2019.

In collaboration with the DUT, the event was hosted by the Pan South African Language Board, as well as in association with the 28 days of Language Activism and the International Year of Indigenous Language (2019).

In attendance were various guests from different walks of life and those who are playing a vital role in the preservation and uplifting of indigenous languages, some whom have published indigenous language dictionaries from isiZulu to tshiVenda, novels, as well as practitioners of indigenous language preservation. In his opening remarks, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design, Professor Brian Pearce, emphasised that language is a very crucial aspect in education at University level, also adding that at the University offered a variety of international languages.

The audience were also treated with a motivational talk from author, activist and actress Rosie Motene and activist and actress Ayanda Borotho. Both speakers reminisced about their past and their relationship with their respective cultural backgrounds; their upbringing and hope for a cultural awareness African society for all.

Nqobile Sawula, Sign Language lecturer at DUT, shared her knowledge on the beauty of sign language and how sign language differed around the world, she said that South African sign language was very different to sign language of other nations across the world. The day concluded with traditional performances from DUT’s traditional dancer and poet Sifiso Mkhize and DUT’s engineering student Sibusiso Malimela.

Pictured: Actress Rosie Motene, speaking at the International Mother Language Day Celebration at the City Campus Arthur Smith Hall.

Zethembe Sibiya