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01 July 2022 | Story Marcus Maphile | Photo Supplied

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

Four Kovsies to Rugby World Championships in Japan
2009-05-28


Robert Ebersohn

Lionel Cronje

Coenie Oosthuizen

Sias Ebersohn

 

Four students of the University of the Free State (UFS) were included in the SA U/20 group of rugby players that will leave on Sunday, 31 May 2009 for Japan to participate in the International Rugby Board’s U/20 World Championships. Robert Ebersohn, Sias Ebersohn, Coenie Oosthuizen and Lionel Cronjé of the UFS form part of the group of 26 players that were selected by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to represent South Africa. Robert, Springbok Sevens star and Vodacom Free State Cheetahs centre was elected as captain of the group.

The SA team will play against Fiji on Friday, 5 June and against Italy on Tuesday, 9 June. On Saturday, 13 June, they will take on France.

In preparation for the championship the South African U/20 team played against the Boland Cavaliers Absa Currie Cup team, beating them 33-14. Sias Ebersohn was the chief points scorer of the match.

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