IsiZulu, Philosophy and the Question of Recognition Take Centre Stage at UKZN

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Friday 13 March, 2026 was a magnificent day to remember for the Internationalisation of isiZulu. Supported by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Corporate Relations and Research Offices, together with the School of Arts, the day truly celebrated language in the voice of the people.

A thought-provoking guest talk at UKZN recently brought together scholars, students and language advocates for a conversation that sought to move beyond celebration to a careful critique of language usage. Hosted in the well-known Shepstone building on the Howard College campus, the talk explored the place of isiZulu in global philosophical discourse and challenged how that place is often framed.

When asked “why the word talk instead of lecture?” the event organiser, Mr Nkululeko Motha, who lectures Academic Learning in English, replied: “A lecture means that we invited an all-knowing person who speaks without being spoken to, but a talk welcomes everyone to engage with the speaker who spent 30 minutes talking and another engaging with his audience”.

The presentation, titled: ‘Talks within the Ambivalence of Africa, Her Languages and Philosophising in isiZulu - An Outside Perspective’, was delivered by Dr Lindokuhle Shabane, a UKZN alumnus who is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Advanced Studies based at Hildesheim University in Germany. Shabane’s work focuses on African philosophy, epistemology and philosophy of logic, with a particular interest in how African languages are positioned within academic knowledge systems.

From the outset, the tone of the talk was reflective rather than celebratory. Shabane opened with a light remark on the title, joking that “there is nothing outside about me”. Reflecting on his experiences in Germany, Shabane noted that he is identified not as African, but as a Zulu man, adding that “our reputation precedes us”! Much of what he now understands as philosophy, he explained, is rooted in his upbringing. He also introduced the concept of ukudilika, an isiZulu term referring to the travelling he undertook during holidays which shaped both his worldview and intellectual development. Rather than simply moving between places, Shabane described a process of constant self-translation to fit into different contexts, an experience that ultimately informed his interest in philosophy.

Drawing on his experiences abroad, Shabane reflected on the growing visibility of isiZulu in international academic spaces, while also highlighting the tensions that accompany this recognition. Although the expansion of isiZulu beyond South African borders signals progress, it raises important questions about how the language is understood, translated and at times misunderstood within global academia. He further noted the challenges of applying isiZulu concepts in different contexts, particularly in relation to translation.

At the heart of his talk was a critique of what he described as “affirmation-seeking” language. Phrases such as ‘philosophising in isiZulu’, he noted, may appear empowering but they carry an underlying assumption: that philosophy is not already embedded in the language. This, he suggested, creates a subtle contradiction. In attempting to affirm isiZulu, such expressions may unintentionally reinforce the very marginalisation they seek to undo.

Rather than calling for the abandonment of such phrases, Shabane encouraged a more critical awareness of their implications. He urged scholars and students alike to recognise isiZulu not as a language that is entering philosophy, but as one that has always contained philosophical thought. In this way, the conversation shifts from validation to recognition. He sought to highlight the important distinction in ongoing debates around decolonisation and knowledge production.

The talk drew a strong and diverse audience, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the topic. Among those in attendance were UKZN’s Professor Rozena Maart and Professor David Spurrett, alongside Dr Nonhlanhla Ntuli and language advocate Dr Muhle Sibisi, as well as many others. Staff and students contributed to a lively and engaged atmosphere.

Mr Nkululeko Motha, representing the African Languages and Development cluster, highlighted the importance of such conversations for advancing institutional goals around language development and curriculum transformation.

When asked about studying at UKZN, Shabane said: “the University is the foundation of what I hold true and philosophical. It began a journey for me that is still ongoing. Being an isiZulu speaker in Germany especially from a university that champions the intellectualisation of the language makes me proud. The event stood as a strong example of collaboration between the philosophy discipline and broader initiatives aimed at the internationalisation of isiZulu.”

Events of this nature align closely with the University’s broader mission to showcase research, spark dialogue and highlight intellectual contributions within the humanities space. More importantly, they create room for difficult but necessary conversations about how knowledge is framed, whose knowledge is recognised and what it means to take African languages seriously within global scholarship.

Guests described the session as both challenging and enriching. In her closing remarks, Maart remembered Shabane as an undergraduate student who is now doing amazing things abroad. She invited students to apply for grants when they are advertised. Shabane thanked Professor Nobuhle Hlongwa (Dean and Head of the School of Arts) and Mrs Siphindile Ntanta from the Research Office who were instrumental in making the event a success.

For many students, Shabane represents a moment of possibility and demonstrates the excellence of UKZN. His research it offers a fresh way of thinking about language not simply as a tool of communication, but as a site of knowledge in its own right. For academics, it opened up further questions about how disciplines such as philosophy can engage more meaningfully with African languages without reproducing inherited assumptions.

As discussions around decolonisation continue to shape Higher Education in South Africa and beyond, the talk served as a timely reminder that transformation is not only about inclusion but also about rethinking the terms of engagement. Support from the Academic Learning in English team and others led to a meaningful and engaging session.

Therefore, in placing isiZulu at the centre of philosophical inquiry, while questioning how that placement was articulated, Shabane’s talk offered both a challenge and an invitation: to move beyond affirmation, and towards a deeper, more critical recognition of African intellectual traditions.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied