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Article by Onwabile Jantjies
The Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) celebrated the International Mother Tongue Day (IMTD) on the 20th February 2009 at Nqadu Great Place in Willovale.
The event was organised by the Pan South African Language Board (PaNSLB) which is tasked to promote the diversity of languages and cultures in South Africa.
King Zwelonke Sigcawu of AmaXhosa who was accompanied by his 33 Chiefs told the audience that the monarchy together with Provincial Language Committee is willing to work hand in hand with the government in spreading the importance of the use of mother tongue. He also emphasised the importance of the use of mother tongue and sign language in schools.
“The poor performance of matric results in the province is also related to the lack of the use of the mother tongue, and the solution to overcome this setback is to teach the pupils in their mother tongue. This following the example of Sosebenza, a high school in Tarkastad”, the King said.
The IMTD can be traced back to the 20 February 1952 when Bangladesh Students backed by intellectuals, cultural activities and patriotic elements fought for their rightful place of Bangla and finally led to the war of Liberation in 1971. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisaton (UNESCO) has declared 21st February as The International Mother Language Day to be observed globally in recognition of the sacrifices of the Bangla language martyrs.
In South Africa the day can be related to the June 16th Student Uprising when high-school students in Soweto started protesting for better education on 16 June 1976, police responded with teargas and live bullets. It is commemorated today by a South African national holiday, Youth Day, which honours all the young people who lost their lives in the struggle against Apartheid and Bantu Education.
The event was also attended by Professor B.B. Mkonto, Dr S.S. Mdaka and Professor N.D. Jafta from University of Fort Hare who are renowned language scholars and authors. Mrs Eppainnette Mbeki the struggle stalwart and mother to the former President Thabo Mbeki was also there, emphasising the importance of the mother tongue as a tool for social mobility.
Article Tags: PANSLB
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