Halala Dr Molate! Celebrating isiXhosa, siSwati and translanguaging in PhD graduations
At the UCT Spring graduation ceremony of 10 September, we celebrated not only the awarding of her doctorate to our bua-lit collective member, Dr Babalwayashe Molate, but also the oration of both her and Dr Msakha Mona’s PhD titles in isiXhosa, siSwati and translanguaging. Dr Xolisa Guzula (our current chairperson of bua-lit, and also a […]
Osse Science! New Science textbook in Kaaps and English is launched
Die Osse Science textbook in Kaaps issie science fiction ie, is currently getik en gedruk. Finally! Mens kannie dink hoe valuable die resource vi Kaapspriekene leedes is as djy nie self die issue van jouself heeltyd moet vetaal mien moet dealie. Om net te dink dat science nou innie maind vannie kint wat vooheen nie […]
Getting started with Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education (MTbBE) – free online course now available!
The introduction of Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education (MTbBE) by the Department of Basic Education is a landmark event in education in South Africa. This is a very exciting development that will open up education opportunities for the majority of learners who have been prevented from participating fully in learning by English-only language policies. bua-lit has […]
“English, my home language is the language of the colonisers, but Afrikaaps my second language is the language of my ancestors”- My Journey and Research with Afrikaaps.
The legacy of colonial language ideologies continues to cast multilingualism as inferior while elevating monolingual, standardised languages like “standard” English and Afrikaans as the benchmark of superiority. This mindset undermines the rich tapestry of indigenous multilingualism in South Africa. The marginalisation and suppression of indigenous languages, such as Afrikaaps, have perpetuated the influence of standardised […]
“Alle kinders is vry om te leer” – Reflections from the Free to Learn: Soze Ungayibambi documentary launch
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 […]
Indlela eya enkululekweni kwiilwimi zesiNtu iyacaca
“Free to Learn: soze ungayibambi” esi sisihloko ebesikwisimemo ebesikhutshiwe ngeenjongo zokusungula, nokubonisa inkqubo yokufunda ngeelwimi ezimbini nangaphezulu. Oku kwenzeke kwiYunivesithi yaseNtshona Koloni (UWC) ngomhla wama26 kweyoMsintsi 2024. Ukuveliswa kwedotyhumentari liqumrhu leBua-Lit kunye neqela labaphandi phantsi kweprojekthi yeLanguage-for-Learning, linyathelo elibaluleke kakhulu kwimfundo yoMzantsi Afrika. Nangona oku kusenzeka emva kweminyaka emininzi oko abantwana bomgquba befunda ngesiNgesi kwaye […]
Cutting edge solutions to bilingual education vi Syd Afrika
Ôs woon amal inne multi-ligual country waa ôs recognized 11 tale harmoniously langs mekaa exist. Maa innie education system is dai als afwiesag. IsiXhosa leerdes enjoy skool in hulle native tong tot in Graad 3. Dan wôd hulle vakke in Graad 4 na Ingils geswitch. Leedes wattie hoeggenaamd Ingils proficient genoeg issie, wôd expect om […]
Storytelling, Multilingualism, and Digital Literacy: Reflections from the 19th LITASA Conference
From the 13th to the 15th of September, I had the privilege of attending the 19th Literacy Association of South Africa (LITASA) Conference, held at the University of Cape Town. The conference brought together researchers, teachers, and other stakeholders in the education sector to discuss the theme, “Literacy Learning Across Contexts: Home-Play-Work.” Here is a […]
isiXhosa FAL – changing the narrative
I fell in love with isiXhosa after taking it as an FAL in Grade 8. Everyone thought I was mad when I decided to take it because there was and there continues to be a huge misconception that it is simply impossible for a white person to study it and pass. My thoughts were always, […]
Researching and Celebrating Kaaps
The 3rd Kaaps Symposium was held on the 15th and 16th of August 2024, at the UWC Centre for Humanities Research Iyatsiba Lab in Woodstock, Cape Town. The event was jointly hosted by the Centre for Multilingualism and Diversities Research (CMDR), the Afrikaans and Nederlands department and Linguistics department at the University of the Western […]
