On the 26th of September 2024, I had the privilege of attending the Free to learn: Soze Ungayibambi documentary launch that was held at the UWC Library Auditorium. The launch was hosted by the Centre for Multilingualism and Diversities Research (CMDR), the Zenex Foundation, and the bua-lit Language and Literacy Collective, which focused on highlighting bilingual education in South Africa and the challenges that learners are faced with following a monolingual (English only) approach to education. The launch brought together researchers, teachers, students, learners, and other stakeholders in the education sector. Dr Robyn Tyler opened the launch with a warm welcome to everyone in attendance, followed by a word from the Dean of Arts and Humanities, Professor Monwabisi Ralarala, Ms Lauren Fok on behalf of the Zenex Foundation (Funders), and the Deputy Director General DBE, Dr Naledi Mbude-Mehana.
Professor Ralarala highlighted the importance of fostering more collaboration and partnerships in order to develop more bilingual programs. He summarized the documentary by stating that if our understanding and command of a particular language is poor, our conception of the world around us is poor, thus it becomes necessary to establish partnerships that work, for this is a revolution.
Ms Lauren Fok from the Zenex Foundation, highlighted their intentional program to develop bilingual projects and how the focus of the documentary was not only on showing the work with teachers and learners, it was also about building libraries to strengthen learner proficient competencies. She emphasized the importance of language as a resource to make our lives productive.
Deputy Director General, DBE- Dr Naledi Mbude-Mehana, introduced the documentary by referring back to the “Sink or Swim” documentary which addressed the question posed by Neville Alexander when he asked “Why is it that we continue to teach children in a language they don’t understand?” Dr Naledi explained that at the time, the ‘Sink or Swim’ documentary focused on the “what” because people lived in an era where bilingual education seemed impossible. The “Free to Learn documentary shows what can be done, not just what the problem is. It speaks to the advocacy, it moves from the “what” to the “how”. She concluded with the words “All children are free to learn”.
The documentary screening was followed by a panel discussion where the learners and the teachers had the opportunity to share their experiences about participating in the projects. What stood out was their excitement about the success of the project and how it shows that a bilingual mother tongue approach to education is possible. The excitement of everyone in attendance was also palpable, with the likes of Professor Zubeida Desai commenting on the wonderful project and how it must continue to take off in a big way.
I was particularly touched when one of the learners thanked their teacher for making learning in isiXhosa possible. As we wait for the rollout of the Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education to all schools in 2025 with the DBE leading the change, I am reminded of the words by Dr Margie Probyn, “After all, learning through a language you understand is surely a human right”.
Written by Leona Claasen
Click here to watch the documentary.
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