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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

First ever international conference on Student Affairs in Africa
2011-05-11

We hosted the 2011 African Student Affairs Conference on our Main Campus in Bloemfontein from 17 – 19 May 2011.

This was the first year that the conference was hosted on African soil as it was presented in the United Kingdom in 2009/2010. The UFS was selected to join hands with the University of the Western Cape and welcomed students from across the continent.
 
The purpose of the conference was to share and exchange strategies, ideas and resources, and to discuss issues related to the work of student affairs professionals. The conference promoted an exchange of best practice and assisted attendees in identifying successful programmes.
 
“We are immensely privileged to be selected to host the first ever international conference on student affairs in Africa and cannot wait to welcome the rest of Africa to our university,” said Mr Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs at our university.
 
The conference is in response to the need to develop education in Africa and for African institutions to compete with the globalising world. To this end, more emphasis should be laid on student affairs, as this unit complements the academic curriculum with programmes geared towards the holistic formation of students.
 
“Twenty delegates from the UFS will attended the conference and presented papers. In this way we will not only actively participate, but also be a leader in discussions about student affairs on the continent,” said Mr Buys.
 


Media Release
11 May 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

 

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