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The University of the Free State Launches an African Languages Press

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

Champion of human rights – Prof Martha Minow – to present the Third Annual Reconciliation Lecture

2014-02-14

Prof Martha Minow
"Forgiveness, Law and Justice"
Photo: Supplied

Prof Martha Minow, Dean of Harvard University’s Law School, will be delivering the highly-anticipated Third Annual Reconciliation Lecture on Monday 24 February 2014. Her lecture entitled “Forgiveness, Law and Justice” promises to evoke healthy debate and honest introspection.

In an interview, Pres Barack Obama has been quoted to say that, as a teacher at Harvard Law School, Martha Minow changed his life. He cited her as being instrumental in his decision to pursue community service instead of commercial law.

Prof Minow – a sheer force of nature – has established herself globally as an advocate of human rights and protector of minorities. The effects of her work are rippling across continents. Her passion for the law has resulted in legislative initiatives that opened access to curricular materials for individuals with disabilities in the United States. She serves as Vice-Chair for an organisation providing assistance to low-income Americans. In addition, Prof Minow has also helped launch a programme called Imagine Co-existence for the UNHigh Commissioner for Refugees. The aim of the programme is to promote peaceful development in post-conflict societies.

The Annual Reconciliation Lecture is organised from the office of Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela. This yearly event was established by Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS. The main objective is to bring scholars to our university whose leadership and vision for social change and conflict transformation is reflected in their interaction within the academe and their teaching. This initiative supports the university’s drive to achieving excellence not only in the field of academics, but in human reconciliation as well.

The details of the event:
Date: Monday 24 February 2014
Time: 17:30 (please be seated by 17:15)
Venue: Centenary Complex, Reitz Hall, BloemfonteinCampus

The public is welcome to attend.
If you would like to attend the lecture, please confirm with Jo-Anne Naidoo at NaidooJA@ufs.ac.za

The lecture will be streamed live on:http://www.ufs.ac.za/ufslivestreaming/

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