Saving South Africa’s Indigenous Languages
South Africa’s linguistic diversity is central to its
cultural identity, and efforts are underway to preserve and promote indigenous
languages. Initiatives like the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Multilingualism
Project and the Pan-South African Language Board (PANSALB) are leading the
charge. UCT, under Professor Lollie Makhubu-Badenhorst, is committed to
preserving languages like Nama and Khoisan, many of which are critically
endangered. The university works on documenting these languages, developing
teaching materials, and engaging with communities to ensure they don’t disappear.
Professor Makhubu-Badenhorst elaborates…
Sound Bite - PanSALB_ Dr Lollie
She says, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of official status for these languages, limiting their use in schools and media. However, projects are focused on creating resources for learners and raising awareness, especially during events like Heritage Month and International Mother Language Day.
