Exploring the Nexus of Wealth, Inequality, and Artistic Expression: Insights from Professor Patrice Mwepu's Workshop Participation

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 University 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 University of Bayreuth (Germany), Moi University (Kenya), and the University of Ghana.

Rhodes University honours renowned Xhosa writer late SEK Mqhayi

Rhodes University 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 University hosts Language Resources Audit

Rhodes University 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.

Coalition negotiations: A sidelined ANC, a surprised DA and a demanding EFF

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.

Isikolo seeLwimi noNcwadi: Icandelo leeLwimi zesiNtu kwiYunivesithi iRhodes lisingathe itheko lokuphehlelela iincwadi zeeMbongi

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

Rhodes University joins a consortium of universities to revive African languages in universities

In an effort to revive and preserve indigenous African languages, Rhodes University has joined a consortium of universities to collaborate in a project funded by the European Union called BAQONDE.

Challenging the language of power in South African courts and beyond

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 Judge 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 University alumna, Dr Zakeera Docrat, in partnership with Professor Russell Kaschula and Professor Monwabisi Ralarala.

African Languages student writes first-ever ChiShona PhD thesis at Rhodes University

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 University.

OPINION | Academic’s aim to expose linguistic injustices that plague SA’s legal system

The confluence of language and justice is at the heart of Rhodes University academic Dr Zakeera Docrat’s work.

Rhodes University’s African Languages Studies Section, in the School of Languages and Literatures, holds a virtual S.E.K. Mqhayi Day Celebration.

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“.

Why using just one language in South Africa’s courts is a problem

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.

Forensic linguists explore how emojis can be used as evidence in court

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.

Thina singabantwa base Afrika

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 University and Makhanda Black Kollective (MBK) community seminar entitled ‘Ukuhlambulula from an anti-humane world’ in Fingo Village, Makhanda.

Rhodes University launches new model Confucius Institute

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 University on 9 November.

Book refines South African law through forensic linguistics

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 University.

Language Committee announces new policy directives

Acting Chairperson of the Rhodes University Language Committee, Dr Hleze Kunju, announced the revised Language Policy and Committee directives during Rhodes University’s School of Languages’ two-day Forensic Linguistics Colloquium.

Using forensic linguistics in the pursuit of justice

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).

The Steve Biko competition encourages young minds to think big

Learners from various local high schools came together for the annual Steve Biko Competition in Eden Grove, at Rhodes University on Saturday.

Celebrating isiXhosa as an official language in South Africa

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.

Rhodes University and Fort Hare unite to teach dictionary skills

Last week Thursday and Friday, the Steve Bantu Biko lecture theatre was bustling with activity as Rhodes University hosted a dictionary skills training workshop.

Reverend fills in Xhosa language gaps

Amid a sea of young university students who will graduate from Rhodes University next weekend, 79-year-old reverend JC "Koos" Oosthuysen prepares to receive his doctorate in African Languages.

Professor honours BB Mkonto during International Year of Indigenous Languages

Rhodes University’s Professor Russell Kaschula was invited to give the inaugural talk at the prestigious BB Mkonto lecture at Nelson Mandela University on 24 July 2019, as part of the University’s commemoration of the International Year for Indigenous Languages.

Rhodes University hosts African Linguistics School

For the first time in the history of South Africa, the African Linguistics School (ALS) was hosted by Rhodes University from 01 July to 12 July 2019.

Giving language a universal voice: The journey to reviving, resuscitating and reigniting isiXhosa after 30 years

Hlumela Palesa Mkabile, a recent Masters in Linguistics graduate of Rhodes University, 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.

A case for African languages in the legal system

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

Rhodes offers beginner isiXhosa lessons

Language is an essential tool in effecting transformation in a culturally diverse institution like Rhodes University.

Writer Mtuze honoured

"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.

Putting Rhodes University on the Map

The journal French Studies in Southern Africa (FSSA) has elected its new editor, Prof Patrice Mwepu from French Studies, School of Languages & Literatures (Rhodes University), who has been elected as the new editor in chief of the journal.

African languages have the power to transform universities

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.

Ethics of poetic ethnicities

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.

Senior Teaching Award for 2013 – Ms Undine Weber

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

Language a pivotal tool to effect transformation at university

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

Language in the Spotlight

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.

Taking ownership of indigenous languages and learning

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

Rhodes University Multilingual Short Story Competition

The Rhodes University Language Committee is engaged in a project to raise awareness on campus about multilingualism in Higher Education in South Africa.

French Ambassador visits Rhodes

French Ambassador Her Excellency Ms Elisabeth Barbier visited Rhodes University recently and met with a range of dignitaries, staff and students at Rhodes and the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG).

A 'legend' and a 'creative genius'

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.

Author invited to share ideas at UK university

Eastern Cape author Bandile Magibili has been invited to the University of East London in Britain for three weeks to deliver a series of lectures based on his self-published book, 2 B Black.

Rhodes students excel in French

An awards ceremony was held recently to celebrate the success of Rhodes University students who passed the DELF A1 test.

Human displacement an enduring theme in our literature

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

Mother-tongue classrooms give a better boost to English study later

What language should South African children be taught in?

Motshekga defends use of African languages

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.

A response to Jonathan Jansen’s Percy Baneshik Memorial Lecture to The English Academy of South Africa

Professor Jonathan Jansen is rector of the University of the Free State. On 18 September 2013 he delivered the English Academy of South Africa’s Percy Baneshik Memorial Lecture.

Wrest power from English tyranny

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

Children are lost without translation

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

Postdoctoral Fellowship Offer

Postdoctoral Fellowship Offer

Xhosa legends’ literary works brought to life

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

Photo unlocks little-known story

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

Faculty of Education gets new Dean

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

Author Soga heading for Rhodes

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

Youth shape the way we communicate

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

Language expert to launch a book during Festival

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.

Anthology of young writers' work

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.

New Shuttleworth-funded anthology discovers next generation of SA writers

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.

African languages to be compulsory for all pupils

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.

Evolving through language

The University 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.

Learning and language

Using a mother tongue makes progress at school or university easier for students the University 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.

The practicalities of implementing the policy will be difficult but the benefits are enormous.

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".

University demands that students and staff learn Zulu

The University 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.

Languages liberate and unify

The University 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.

African languages key

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

Nzayo uses language to reach multicultural audience

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.

Crossing the language barrier

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

‘Enough’ teachers for African languages

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.

Master one language before tackling another

I applaud the University of KwaZulu-Natal for introducing isiZulu as a course for first-year students. But I wonder why this otherwise progressive move was made compulsory.

Multilingualism is a resource

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

Quest for a new engaged intellectualism

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.

Varsity students must take isiZulu

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

Rhodes lauded for African science ‘translatathons’

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”.

Mobile Xhosa for health practitioners

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.

SA's shifting language landscape

“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.

University has hopes to score in Xhosa

Stellenbosch University is taking steps to promote and embrace Xhosa, along with other African languages, via sports terminology booklets.

Tongue-tied on language policy

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?

Words, pictures tell story

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

Education helps build relationships

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.

The Iliad goes local

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.

Language teaching ‘not just a political statement’

Teachers and lecturers from as far afield as China, Ethiopia and Germany congregated at Rhodes University recently to share their experiences of teaching second or additional languages.

Navigate SA’s linguistic minefield with tolerance

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.

African languages need to be developed - Blade Nzimande

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

Slow development of African languages at South African universities a concern

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.

Tribute to multilingualism proponent

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.

Tribute to multilingualism proponent

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.

Does the medium affect the message for students?

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.

Learning new languages pays

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.

Guanxi with Rhodes leads to Chinese book donation

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.

Somadoda Fikeni gives an inaugural Multilingualism Awareness Lecture

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

Language has to be on national agenda

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.

Chinese centre boost for Rhodes

RHODES University’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.

Vital that whites learn to speak African languages

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.

Speaking in mother tongues

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

Stop the death of isiXhosa

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.