On the 7th of October 2024, Professor Mukenge took the stage for a momentous occasion: his inauguration as a full professor. He began his speech with heartfelt gratitude to his family, friends, and colleagues who supported him throughout his journey. The ceremony unfolded with a reflection on his background and the path that led him to this achievement. Born in the small town of Kabomve in the Democratic Republic of Congo to a father who worked as a miner, Prof Mukenge found inspiration in the words of a primary school teacher and developed a deep love for the French language. His passion was ignited by books such as “Kocoumbo l’étudiant noir,” by Ake Loba, “Climbié,” by Bernard Dadié, “Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert and “Vingt ans après” by Alexandre Dumas. These literary works not only shaped his understanding of Francophonie but also challenged him to view the world from new perspectives.

On September 27th, the French department hosted its annual event, “La Journée Française,” (French day) celebrating French culture through food, music, dance, and poetry. The event was vibrant and engaging, with Lesedi serving as the enthusiastic MC. Madame Cordell kicked off the festivities with an introduction about the department’s history and development. This was followed by testimonies from past and present students, who shared how studying French has positively impacted their careers and lives. Ms. Botha emphasised the quote by Goethe: “He who knows no foreign languages knows nothing of his own.” The essence of this statement is that mastering more than two languages enriches our understanding and helps us navigate the world more effectively.

On September 6th, French 3 embarked on an unforgettable journey to Plettenberg Bay, a stunning seaside gem on South Africa’s Garden Route. This adventure was a highlight of their tourism course, offering a perfect blend of exploration and excitement. The trip kicked off with a four-hour drive to Plettenberg Bay, a journey that promised picturesque views along the way. The excitement kicked off at the Tsitsikama Bridge, home to South Africa’s most famous bungee jumping spot. The students were mesmerized by the breath-taking spectacle of daredevils leaping from the bridge, a sight that left them utterly amazed. Paul said, “The bridge is absolutely amazing, with a stunning view”. The drive and the subsequent arrival at these scenic spots created an exciting start to the adventure, enhancing the anticipation for the days ahead

During the June Holidays, Imkhitha Macanda “Immy”, a French honours student, embarked on a transformative journey to Strasbourg, France, for a short course in French diplomacy and diplomatic studies, sponsored by Campus France. Strasbourg is situated near the border with Germany, Strasbourg is renowned for its blend of French and German influences, reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and cultural identity.

During the June Holidays, Imkhitha Macanda “Immy”, a French honours student, embarked on a transformative journey to Strasbourg, France, for a short course in French diplomacy and diplomatic studies, sponsored by Campus France. Strasbourg is situated near the border with Germany, Strasbourg is renowned for its blend of French and German influences, reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and cultural identity.

The Université of Yaoundé I in Yaoundé, Cameroon, recently hosted a heartfelt conference dedicated to celebrating the life and literary contributions of Maryse Condé, a revered French-Caribbean writer whose profound influence resonates throughout the literary world. Gathering shortly after her passing in early April 2024 in France, scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts gathered to honour her enduring legacy at the Day of Maryse Condé. The conference served as a platform to explore and commemorate Condé’s remarkable career. Attendees from diverse backgrounds came together to delve into her impact on literature, examining themes that define her extensive body of work. One notable participant, Prof. Mukenge, contributed a presentation focusing on Condé’s versatility as a writer, with a particular emphasis on her acclaimed 2015 masterpiece, Mets et merveilles (“Feasts and Marvels”). This work, weaving together themes of food, culture, and identity, highlighted Condé’s adeptness at intertwining personal experiences into her narratives, thereby enrichingthe depth of her literary exploration.

The recent International Colloquium at Université Marien NGouabi in Congo Brazzaville sparked an enthusiastic exploration into the captivating world of literature, with the spotlight shining brightly on the works of Henri Djombo. From May 28 to May 30, 2024, scholars, researchers, and literary enthusiasts from around the globe converged to delve into the intricate layers of Djombo’s literary oeuvre under the theme: “L’oeuvre de Henri Djombo et Les enjeux des sociétés contemporaines” (The Works of Henri Djombo and the Challenges of Contemporary Societies). Professor Mukenge, an esteemed participant and the Head of the Department of French and Francophone Studies, brought his scholarly prowess to the forefront with a compelling presentation titled “Les deux faces de Henri Djombo: l’homme, l’écrivain et son potentiel littéraire” (The Two Faces of Henri Djombo: The Man, the Writer, and his Literary Potential). Prof Mukenge’s presentation unraveled the complexities of Djombo’s works, from “Sur la braise” to “Lumières des temps perdus,” delving deep into the essence of Djombo’s creativity and his engagement with the socio-political landscape of Congo Brazzaville. Prof Mukenge’s presentat

In the heart of Rabat, Morocco, on 23 April 2024, a significant conference was hosted by the Language, Literature, and Culture Laboratory, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. The occasion was no ordinary event; it was a commemoration of the life and contributions of the Congolese writer, Henri Lopes – a man whose influence transcended the realms of literature into diplomacy and politics. Henri Lopes, renowned for his literary works, diplomatic finesse, and political engagement, left an indelible mark on the African intellectual landscape. His multifaceted persona, encompassing roles as a writer, diplomat, and politician, garnered admiration and reverence from scholars and writers across the continent.

Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网’s Professor Arthur Mukenge, a distinguished scholar of Francophone African literature, delivered his inaugural lecture titled “Literary Criticism in an African Context: A Francophone African Literature Perspective” on 07 October 2024.

Earlier this month, the Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 School of Languages and Literature hosted the book launch of Jonas Ntsiko: Hadi Waseluhlangeni Collected Writings (1873-1916). This event marked the release of Volume 9 of the Opland Collection of Xhosa Literature, a series of books collaboratively edited and translated by Professors Jeff Opland and Pamela Maseko. Professor Pamela Maseko, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Nelson Mandela 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网, Visiting Professor and former academic at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网. Maseko was also the keynote speaker at the book launch.

From 7 to 9 January 2024, Professor Patrice Mwepu, from French and Francophone Studies, and the Confucius Institute at Rhodes, delved into a thought-provoking workshop held at the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of Lagos in Nigeria. This scholarly gathering was aimed to dissect the intricate tapestry of wealth accumulation, societal inequality, and their analysis in various disciplines, including geography, economics, history, and literature. Organised under the auspices of the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence initiative, the workshop brought together scholars from different geographical spaces, including representatives from the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of Bayreuth (Germany), Moi 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 (Kenya), and the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of Ghana.

Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 in the Eastern Cape has honoured the late SEK Mqhayi, one of the greatest Xhosa writers in history. This comes, as the institution celebrates 200 years of the written isiXhosa language.

Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 hosted the first sector-wide Language Resources Audit conducted by the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLAR) at the Continuing Education Centre this week.

South Africa’s coalition negotiations after the November 2021 election were full of unexpected plot twists. November’s news reporting reveals clear, almost cartoonish characterisations of our largest three parties emerging from a backdrop of extremely complex negotiations and a soap-opera-worthy web of love-hate relationships.

Ngolwesibini, umhla we-21 KweyoMsintsi 2021, isikolo seeLwimi noNcwadi: Icandelo leeLwimi zesiNtu kwiYunivesithi iRhodes belibhiyozela ulwimi lwesiXhosa likwaphehlelela neencwadi zemibongo.

In an effort to revive and preserve indigenous African languages, Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 has joined a consortium of universities to collaborate in a project funded by the European Union called BAQONDE.

Language constituted in how and what we ‘hear’ and ‘speak’ impacts various aspects of our reality, including how we experience the South African democracy as it stands. Those were some of the words from 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 Belinda Hartle at the virtual launch of A handbook on Legal Languages and the quest for linguistic equality in South Africa and beyond by Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 alumna, Dr Zakeera Docrat, in partnership with Professor Russell Kaschula and Professor Monwabisi Ralarala.

A PhD student in the African Language Studies Section in the School of Languages and Literatures, Mr Ignatius Mabasa, has been awarded a PhD for the first-ever thesis written in ChiShona at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网.

The confluence of language and justice is at the heart of Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 academic Dr Zakeera Docrat’s work.

This prestigious event is held annually to celebrate the life and the works of Samuel Edward Krune Loliwe Ngxekengxeke (SEK) Mqhayi, who is regarded as the “father of Xhosa Poetry“.

Language is a crucial element of any criminal justice system. Forensic linguist David Wright has written that people find themselves in the judicial system’s linguistic webs at every step of the legal process.

Emojis have become ubiquitous in text communication – messages are peppered with smiley faces, hearts and other graphic icons. They were first drawn by graphic designer Shigetaka Kurita, and generated by a Japanese communications firm called NTT DoCoMo in the late 1990s. Now they’re everywhere.

The etymology of a word goes a long way in teaching us the history, the routes and the roots of a word as expressed at a joint Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 and Makhanda Black Kollective (MBK) community seminar entitled ‘Ukuhlambulula from an anti-humane world’ in Fingo Village, Makhanda.

Delegates from as far as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) travelled to Makhanda to celebrate the opening of the new model Confucius Institute Centre at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 on 9 November.

Collaboration between students and supervisors is key, explained Professor Monwabisi Ralarala the Director of the Fundani Center for Higher Education, CPUT and Chairperson of the African Language Association of South Africa (ALASA), at a recent book launch at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网.

Acting Chairperson of the Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 Language Committee, Dr Hleze Kunju, announced the revised Language Policy and Committee directives during Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网’s School of Languages’ two-day Forensic Linguistics Colloquium.

As part of the two-day Forensic Linguistics Colloquium held by the NRF SARChI Chair in the Intellectualisation of African Languages, Multilingualism and Education on 9 and 10 October, guest speaker Professor Monwabisi Ralarala presented his research on the anomalies in police record construction and sworn statements within some cases in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Learners from various local high schools came together for the annual Steve Biko Competition in Eden Grove, at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 on Saturday.

On Friday the 20 September, the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature was abuzz with people from all walks of life who gathered to celebrate IsiXhosa as one of South Africa’s official languages.

Last week Thursday and Friday, the Steve Bantu Biko lecture theatre was bustling with activity as Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 hosted a dictionary skills training workshop.

Amid a sea of young university students who will graduate from Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 next weekend, 79-year-old reverend JC "Koos" Oosthuysen prepares to receive his doctorate in African Languages.

Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网’s Professor Russell Kaschula was invited to give the inaugural talk at the prestigious BB Mkonto lecture at Nelson Mandela 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 on 24 July 2019, as part of the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网’s commemoration of the International Year for Indigenous Languages.

For the first time in the history of South Africa, the African Linguistics School (ALS) was hosted by Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 from 01 July to 12 July 2019.

Hlumela Palesa Mkabile, a recent Masters in Linguistics graduate of Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网, has opted to explore dynamic and versatile research about the Xhosa language in her thesis, which is the first of its kind in over 30 years.

In August 2017, African Language Studies Section of the School of Languages and Literatures at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 reported that they were developing a new Honours module to ‘address the classism and language-based discrimination of our legal system’.

Language is an essential tool in effecting transformation in a culturally diverse institution like Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网.

"READ and read and do more reading," renowned Xhosa writer Peter Tshobisa Mtuze said on Monday, when he was honoured by the Eastern Cape government for his lifetime’s work.

The journal French Studies in Southern Africa (FSSA) has elected its new editor, Prof Patrice Mwepu from French Studies, School of Languages & Literatures (Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网), who has been elected as the new editor in chief of the journal.

A history lecturer teaching a class about the history of the Xhosa people in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province stops speaking English for a few minutes.

How I wish I could, like many, pretend that the ethics of poetry are engraved on a rock somewhere at the centre of the global village — an assumption that downplays the fact that one’s domicile, environment and experience directly informs his literary outlook.

Language acquisition can be seen as a necessary means to an end, namely to develop understanding between people and cultures.

Language is one of the pivotal tools to effect transformation at a university like Rhodes

Grahamstown is home to a number of multilingual activists, and recently hosted the isiXhosa Children's Literacy Festival, organised by Elinor Sisulu and the Puku Foundation.

Higher education in an African context is the focus of two Research Chairs that explore fundamental issues about the delivery of higher learning.

The Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 Language Committee is engaged in a project to raise awareness on campus about multilingualism in Higher Education in South Africa.

French Ambassador Her Excellency Ms Elisabeth Barbier visited Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 recently and met with a range of dignitaries, staff and students at Rhodes and the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG).

Professor Mbulelo Vizikhungo Mzamane meant many things to many people. Some have described him as a "legend" and a "creative genius", an outgoing person, who enjoyed good company as well as a good dialogue.

Eastern Cape author Bandile Magibili has been invited to the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of East London in Britain for three weeks to deliver a series of lectures based on his self-published book, 2 B Black.

An awards ceremony was held recently to celebrate the success of Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 students who passed the DELF A1 test.

Human settlement, more often than not, emanates from human displacement.

What language should South African children be taught in?

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga yesterday defended the government’s plan to start phasing in the learning of an African language at all South African schools, saying scientific research showed that children who study in their first languages for the first years of schooling perform better.

Professor Jonathan Jansen is rector of the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of the Free State. On 18 September 2013 he delivered the English Academy of South Africa’s Percy Baneshik Memorial Lecture.

If our children are to stand tall, they must master the language used to exclude them.

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

Postdoctoral Fellowship Offer

Xhosa literature fanatics can look forward to further compilations of the written works of legendary authors like Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi.

An ancient photograph of long-dead relatives who fled Europe for South Africa in the 1850s, has inspired a Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 language professor to write about life in the Eastern Cape and other parts of the country over the past 150 years.

Prof Xoliswa Mtose has been appointed UNIZULU's Faculty of Education Dean.

By day Soga Mlandu oversees municipal administration but by night he writes short stories.

As in tsotsitaal, they play with language — and in so doing help create a common culture.

Prof Russell Kaschula, the National Research Foundation SARCHhi Chair of Intellectualism of African Languages will launch short story anthology as part of the Wordfest Programme on Sunday, 30 June 2012, in Eden Grove Red lecture theatre. The book is entitled Displaced, explores past and present complexities in South Africa.

Paperight has released the Paperight Young Writers' Anthology 2013, a new multilingual anthology of original short stories, essays, poetry and illustrations by South African high school pupils.

Paperight is proud to announce the release of the Paperight Young Writers’ Anthology 2013, a new multilingual literary anthology of original short stories, essays, poetry and illustrations by South African high school students.

Cape Town - An African language - including Afrikaans - will be compulsory for all pupils until matric, according to a new policy which could be implemented at all schools from as early as next year.

The 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of KwaZuluNatal's announcement that it would make it compulsory to learn Zulu there from next year, has been hailed by many as a return of African languages to the educational centre, in a true post-colonial sense of the word.

Using a mother tongue makes progress at school or university easier for students the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of KwaZulu-Natal's announcement that it will make it compulsory to learn Zulu at that university from next year has been hailed by many as a return of African languages to the educational centre, in a true postcolonial sense of the word.

It was shocking to hear someone on Xolani Gwala's SAfm early morning news programme this month referring to the use of African languages in the schooling system as "dragging us back to the days of apartheid".

The 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of KwaZulu-Natal's decision that all new students register for a compulsory Zulu course from next year has thrown the proverbial cat among the pigeons. While details of the initiative – a first for South African higher education – are unclear, the university believes that students must demonstrate bilingualism to earn their degrees.

The 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of KwaZuluNatal's announcement last week that it would make the learning of Zulu compulsory from next year, has been hailed by many as a return of African languages to the educational centre, in a true post-colonial sense of the word.

We recently read about the Eastern Cape’s forgotten schools where teaching and learning is simply not happening.

A MULTILINGUAL Grahamstown language activist who uses a hilarious mix of Xhosa and English to tickle the funny bone has been nominated for a top South African Comics Choice Award.

It’s been a long time coming, but learning an African language will soon be compulsory in schools. Brent Meersman tries to keep ahead of the kids

There are enough African language teachers to introduce the teaching of an African language in all schools in grades R and 1 from next year, says the Department of Basic Education.

I applaud the 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 of KwaZulu-Natal for introducing isiZulu as a course for first-year students. But I wonder why this otherwise progressive move was made compulsory.

Apartheid used our languages to divide and rule. Today we want to use them to increase social cohesion and economic participation.

It struck me the other day that black South Africans use the term ukuzabalaza and the word Umzabalazo almost exclusively in relation to the fight against apartheid and colonialism.

Kwazulu-natal language move sparks controversy in the halls of higher learning.

BREAKING down long-held beliefs that indigenous African languages could not be used to teach science would go a long way towards ridding South Africa of “linguistic apartheid”.

It's a problem commonly faced by healthcare practitioners in multilingual societies: how to translate medical questions put to them in other languages accurately enough for them to provide correct diagnoses and treatment.

“Afrikaans and English no longer ‘white languages’,” read a press release from the SA Institute of Race Relations this week. The analysis of data from the 2011 census indicates that only 40% of South Africans who speak Afrikaans at home are white, while less than 34% of those who speak English at home are white. While isiZulu remains the most commonly-spoken language by quite a wide margin, it is English which is leading the way as the most preferred teaching language.

Stellenbosch 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 is taking steps to promote and embrace Xhosa, along with other African languages, via sports terminology booklets.

How is it that the language in education policy in a country with one of the most progressive constitutions in the world still fails the majority of its learners from their earliest school years?

"I cannot tell my story without recalling a long way back." - Hermann Hesse.

More than 10,000 South Africans are learning Chinese in universities and secondary and primary schools around the country thanks to efforts by the Chinese government to enhance Chinese language education in South Africa.

Homer’s Iliad, the well-known Greek poem set in the Trojan War, has been translated into English versions and virtually every language in the world for many centuries, but now a South African professor in classic literature has published the first South African English translation of the epic tale.

Teachers and lecturers from as far afield as China, Ethiopia and Germany congregated at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 recently to share their experiences of teaching second or additional languages.

Separate conversations on recent flights have underlined for me the important role that language will play in our search for cross-cultural unity and harmony.

Minister says both wealthy and poor black children lose out from a lack of mother tongue education.

The South African Department of Higher Education and Training says it remains concerned at the slow development of African languages in the country's universities and has set up a Ministerial Advisory Panel to look into the issue.

Dean of Humanities Prof Fred Hendricks presented a deeply personal tribute to the multi-linguist, Prof Neville Alexander at the opening of a colloquium on second language teaching recently.

Dean of Humanities Prof Fred Hendricks presented a deeply personal tribute to the multi-linguist, Prof Neville Alexander at the opening of a colloquium on second language teaching recently.

Most South African students in higher education are not being educated in their first language. English dominates the higher educational context, including learning material and the circulation and distribution of new knowledge.

The expressions "ni hoa", "al salaam a'alaykum" and "namaste" might not mean much to most South Africans, but as the new world economies develop rapidly, the value of being able to greet people in Mandarin, Arabic and Hindi is rising.

It was a rainy evening in early March when journalism alumni Wang Guoqin noticed the sign to the Confucius Institute while revisiting his alma mater with family and friends. His curiosity led him to Chinese Studies Professor Ma Yue, who still happened to be in his office.

Political analyst and social commentator, Professor Somadoda Fikeni, will give a public lecture on the challenges of multilingualism in higher education tomorrow (15 May).

Multilingualism in higher education faces challenges SOUTH Africa's democracy was at a crossroads and language, at the heart of real transition and liberation, was not even on the national agenda, political analyst and commentator Professor Somadoda Fikeni warned.

RHODES 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网’s decision to offer Chinese studies four years ago is helping to turn what many perceived as a colonial establishment into something with more universal appeal.

Bheki Sele. Tabo Ma-beki. Senzo Msunu. Kagalima Mokla-Ante. This is just an example of how African names are remorselessly butchered by people who clearly have no intention of learning a thing about African languages. So, Cele becomes “Sele” – dangerously close to “isela”, a thief in isiXhosa.

Academics, politicians and experts in the Eastern Cape are calling for the use of indigenous languages in education and all government documents.

Middle class not proud of their heritage. As South Africans celebrate Heritage Day on Monday, academics and African languages' specialists warned of the death of isiXhosa — the cornerstone and one-time proud heritage of the Xhosa speaking people.