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23 March 2021 | Story Mbali Moiketsi
International Mother Language Day

The Office for International Affairs recently celebrated International Language Day.  This year, we invited all faculties to submit the names of people who would be willing to contribute video clips to educate us about their mother tongue.  The videos submitted were from diverse academic staff members and postdoctoral fellows currently based in different parts of the world.  Extensive research has created this edutainment video, featuring famous language quotes, indigenous languages across the African continent, and business languages used across the African continent. Some of the indigenous languages on the African continent are fading away, caused by colonial influence.

Fun facts:
From 1994 to 2013, South Africa was in the Guinness Book of World Records for most official languages.  These are Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Sepedi, Sesotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu.

Since the adoption of the 2013 Constitution, Zimbabwe now holds this title with 16 official languages, namely Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, Sign Language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa. Zimbabwe therefore now holds the Guinness World Record for the country with the largest number of official languages.  

Albeit the main languages in Zimbabwe are English, Shona and Ndebele, the minor languages are Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Kunda, Lozi, Manyika, Nambya, Ndau, Nsenga, Tsonga-Shangani, Sotho, Tjwao, Tonga, Tswa, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa.

WATCH: International Mother Language video


News Archive

Joint statement by UFS management, SRC and residence leadership
2008-02-22

At a meeting between the top management and Student Representative Council (SRC) executive, residence managers and the student leadership of residences all those present committed themselves to increasing the diversity of the student residences at the UFS.

All those present at the meeting held on Friday afternoon (22 February 2008) condemned the violence that took place on the campus on Wednesday night and committed themselves to respect the rule of law.

All those present acknowledged that much needs to be done with regard to the implementation of the integration in student residences.

The memorandum from primes (the student heads of residences) that was submitted to management on Wednesday was discussed.

After a lengthy discussion, some of the issues raised in the memorandum were resolved and parties agreed that outstanding issues will receive urgent attention.
Management undertook to provide a comprehensive written response to the memorandum of the primes by Monday next week (25 February 2008).
 

At the end of the meeting management and the student leadership committed themselves to working together in the interest of the University, to work closely towards addressing problem issues and to improve communication between students and management and vice versa.
 

For more information contact Anton Fisher, Director: Strategic Communication, UFS. on 072-207-8334.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
22 February 2008

 

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