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The University of the Free State Library and Information Services (UFSLIS) hosted stakeholders from SABC Lesedi FM, the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture, the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), and delegates from the National Library for the launch of the first-ever African Languages University Press in South Africa and Africa.  The launch, which took place on 24 May, deliberately coincided with the Africa Month commemorations – as the UFS’ answer to the United Nations General Assembly (Resolution A/RES/74/135) proclamation of the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.  

This proclamation aims to draw global attention to the critical situation of many indigenous languages, and to mobilise stakeholders and resources for their preservation, revitalisation, and promotion. The University of the Free State Department of African Languages aims to be a publisher of high-quality original African language monographs and research in order to promote access, preservation, and use of marginalised African languages.  

In his opening remarks, Marcus Maphile, Assistant Director: Library Services, said, “As a broad academic publisher, the African Languages Press will be working across a number of markets, all presenting challenges and opportunities for established and engaged university presses. One of the opportunities will be to challenge the mainstream book publishers to re-enter the indigenous language publishing market.” He further said that this was done to make writing and reading in African indigenous languages fashionable, for other nations to envy our rich multilingual cultural heritage. 

The guest speaker for the launch was the UFS honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) recipient, Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, who applauded the University of the Free State for taking such a bold step towards enriching and developing African indigenous languages. 

The launch offered the UFS the opportunity to reach out and engage the international community on potential partnerships and collaborations towards developing African languages. The Library Director, Ms Jeanette Molopyane, provided insight into the challenges faced by libraries due to the shortage of books in African languages, while positioning the University of the Free State Library as a trendsetter and a leader in the development of best practices in the field of libraries.  

News Archive

Armentum decision taken out of context
2009-05-15

STATEMENT BY PROF. EZEKIEL MORAKA, VICE-RECTOR: STUDENT AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE IN RESPONSE TO THE MAIN ARTICLE IN VOLKSBLAD OF 15 MAY 2009

It is unfortunate that the University of the Free State’s (UFS) attempts to protect our students and to ensure that an atmosphere conducive to learning in our residences prevails are now taken out of context and equated to the process of increasing diversity in our residences.

We have a responsibility as a university to protect our students and staff – this includes minority groups like first-year students – and we will continue to do so. The Residence Committees and Residence Heads also have a responsibility to ensure that this atmosphere prevails in our residences.

In accordance with the decision on increasing diversity in the university’s Main Campus residences by our Council, the UFS has a responsibility to protect minorities against the dominance of other groups and to ensure that students respect one another.

The incident at House Armentum is clearly an act of the violation of human rights and cannot be left unattended.

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  
15 May 2009

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