Clockwise: Professor Langa Khumalo; Mr Musawenkosi Jokwana, winner of the poetry competition; the Top 30 authors and poets whose poems are part of the Anthology; and Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Professor Sandile Songca.UKZN Launches Books to Advance IsiZulu
The Language Planning and Development Office at UKZN launched two isiZulu publications during a function on the Howard College campus to assist in the drive to promote the language as a vehicle in knowledge production and as a language used in Teaching and Learning.
The works are: A Glossary of Law Terms, and an isiZulu poetry anthology, Zidla Inkotha.
The Glossary was compiled by UKZN lecturer Mr Khulekani Zondi ‘to assist students doing legal studies as well as ordinary South Africans with a limited understanding of law, by providing them with basic explanations of legal terms in both isiZulu and English. The Glossary will also be of great value to districts located in rural areas where magistrates encounter litigants who only have a command of indigenous languages.’
Zondi said the work would be of little value if it was not be used by the courts and the youth who are custodians of the future of South Africa.
Director of the University Language Planning and Development Office Professor Langa Khumalo said he was grateful to the leadership at UKZN for their commitment and support in the publication of the works.
‘The Glossary will assist in isiZulu legal discourse and also allow students access to legal knowledge in a language they are familiar with.’
The Anthology, edited by UKZN’s Dr Gugulethu Mazibuko, is a celebration of the creative genius of isiZulu authors and poets comprising the top 30 submissions chosen from more than 110 entries for publication in the book.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize congratulated the team for the development of the two books, saying ‘the knowledge of who you are is embedded in your language and your community. At the heart of everything we do is language.’
Dean and Head of the School of Law Professor Managay Reddi congratulated the Language Planning and Development Office team and thanked them for playing a role in the transformation of society. Reddi also thanked the team for putting the University at the forefront of the transformation of South African society, and for their contribution to the decolonisation and Africanisation of Higher Education.
During the event, directed by renowned poet Dr Gcina Mhlophe, the 30 chosen authors and poets received awards and prizes which included laptops for the top three.
Words: Sithembile Shabangu
Photographs: Andile Ndlovu