A Chinese University has set up a Zulu department officially promoting the language as a programme offered at undergraduate level thus strengthening ties between the two countries.
African languages
Arts and Culture Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o awarded 2019 Erich Maria Remarque Peace Prize
East African literary icon Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o has been awarded the 2019 Erich Maria Remarque Peace Prize for Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature. The collection of essays focuses on language and its constructive role in national culture, history and identity.
Arts and Culture South Africa signs MoU with Kenya to facilitate the teaching of Kiswahili in its schools
Kenya and South Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide a foundation for the introduction of Kiswahili as an elective language in the South African educational system. This is South Africa’s next step in fully integrating Kiswahili as an indigenous language to promote unity and social cohesion with fellow Africans.
Arts and Culture Tanzania to send Kiswahili teachers to South Sudan
South Sudan and Tanzania have signed a five-year deal that will see Tanzania sending Kiswahili teachers to Africa’s newest nation.
Arts and Culture Why embracing indigenous languages could have major benefits for Kenya
Research shows that mother tongue teaching is the most ideal tool for early child education.
Arts and Culture Nigerian writer hits 50-language milestone
The year 2018 ended on a high note for the Nigeria born writer Mohammed Umar who is celebrating in London after getting his books translated and published into 50 languages.
African identities Nompumelelo Kapa, first academic to write thesis in isiXhosa in 102 years at Fort Hare
Nompumelelo Kapa is the first person in the University of Fort Hare’s 102 year history to have written and published a PhD thesis in isiXhosa. Dr Kapa received her PhD in Literature and Philosophy for her thesis in isiXhosa, one of South Africa’s official languages.
Arts and Culture Why it’s good news that Swahili is coming to South African schools
Kiswahili will be easy for South Africans to learn compared to foreign languages from outside Africa
Arts and Culture South African schools to teach Kiswahili as a second language
South African schools will teach Kiswahili alongside languages such as Mandarin, French and German. Should other African countries follow suit to incorporate Kiswahili into their school curriculum?