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Creating mother tongue pride and confidence in rural areas

26 January 2024 | Story Charlene Stanley | Photo Supplied

A unique public speaking competition hosted in the small town of Philippolis has done wonders to not only build confidence in young mother tongue speakers, but to broaden the cultural perspectives of an entire community.

The Philippolis Public Speaking Competition has been hosted by the Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment (ULFE) and the Department of Community Engagement (CE) at the University of the Free State (UFS) since 2013. What started as a small competition for learners in this Southern Free State town, has grown into a much-anticipated annual event, drawing participants from schools in neighbouring towns such as Trompsburg, Bethulie, Jagersfontein, Fauresmith, Gariepdam, and Reddersburg.

Talking about heritage

Every year, learners from Grades 6 to 9 are invited to present a speech on a specific heritage-related topic. Participants are encouraged to speak in their mother tongues – which in this region are mainly Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana, and isiXhosa.

Interpreters from the UFS ULFE ensure that the audience can follow each speech. For the past few years, deaf learners from the Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind in Thaba Nchu and Re Tlameleng School for the Deaf in Kimberley have made welcome appearances, assisted by UFS sign language interpreters.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to teach our young people about acknowledging and respecting different opinions – but also to consider perspectives from differently abled individuals,” enthuses Anita Muller, a teacher from Bergmanshoogte Primary School, who has been involved in the competition from the very beginning.

“Learners in rural areas so often believe they don’t have a voice, and that nobody is interested in their opinions,” she continues.

“This competition does wonderful work in building feelings of self-worth and self-confidence. And it is usually a welcome opportunity for our broader community to get together, learn about one another’s cultures, and change perspectives.”

Embracing individuality

Jani de Lange, UFS Lecturer in South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies, and one of the coordinators of the project, says she was excited to note that the master of ceremonies of last year’s competition was a former participant in the very first event.

“This project gives me a sense of pride and reminds me why I am part of the UFS. It has been a real eye-opener to see how important it is for those involved,” she says.

“It encourages our young people to embrace their individuality, as we celebrate the cultures and traditions of all those who participate,” says Mabatho Ntsieng from the Engaged Scholarship Office. She says young people often lose sight of where they come from. By giving them opportunities to research topics linked to their heritage and then present their speech in their mother tongue, they can return to their cultural roots.

“It is wonderful to see how proud these participants are and the impact it has on the schools and the community.”

News Archive

UFS Council unanimously reappoints Dr Khotso Mokhele as Chancellor

2015-04-02

Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the University of the Free State

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) unanimously reappointed Dr Khotso Mokhele as Chancellor during its quarterly meeting held on 13 March 2015. He was first appointed in this portfolio by the Council on 4 June 2010.

“It is an honour for the Council to reappoint someone of this stature as Chancellor of the UFS. With his solid academic background and high profile in the business world, Dr Mokhele has been a great asset to the UFS. On behalf of the Council and the university community, I extend a word of appreciation for the work he has done during his first term as Chancellor of the UFS. He is an exceptional leader, and the university community is looking forward to have him as Chancellor for a second term,” said Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the UFS Council.

Dr Mokhele was awarded a BSc Agriculture from Fort Hare University, and continued his studies at the University of California Davis (USA) on the Fulbright-Hays Scholarship Programme, completing his MSc (Food Science) and PhD (Microbiology). He was subsequently a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (USA) and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (USA). Dr Mokhele is the recipient of honorary doctorates from nine South African universities including the UFS, and from Rutgers University in the USA.

He was Chairman of the Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee for Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland (2007-2011), and served on the South Africa at Large Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee for more than 10 years. As President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation for Research Development (1996-1999) and the NRF from 1999 to 2006, Dr Mokhele played a central role in providing visionary and strategic direction to the South African science system. He was the Founder President of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), Founder President and CEO of the National Research Foundation (NRF), Chairperson of the Economic Advisory Council to the Premier of the Free State (2001-2004), and a member of the Advisory Council on Innovation to the Minister of Science and Technology (2003-2007). His role in securing government and international support for the Southern African Large Telescope Project (SALT) is evidence of his dedication to science in South Africa. The success of this project laid the basis for South Africa being selected to host more than 70% of the Square Kilometre Array, an international mega telescope for radio astronomy.

In recognition of his contribution to the development of science, he was the recipient of the Technology Top 100 Lifetime Achievers Award in 2009 and the National Science and Technology Forum Award in 2005. His role in science is recognised internationally. He was an elected Vice-President: Scientific Planning and Review of the International Council for Science and Chairperson of its Committee for Scientific Planning and Review (2005-2008) as well as a member of the Committee on Developing and Transition Economy Countries of the International Social Science Council (2008-2010). He also represented South Africa on the executive board of UNESCO, and was awarded the Member Legion of Honour of the Republic of France for his work in strengthening scientific ties between South Africa and France.

Dr Mokhele currently serves as Special Advisor to the Minister of Science and Technology, the Honourable Naledi Pandor. His current corporate positions include: Non-Executive Chairman: Board of Directors, Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd (Implats); Lead Independent Non-Executive Director: African Oxygen Ltd (Afrox); Non-Executive Director of Zimbabwe Platinum Holdings Ltd (Zimplats); Hans Merensky Holdings Ltd; and Tiger Brands Ltd. He is the President of the Hans Merensky Foundation (South Africa) and a Trustee of SciDev.Net (a web-based scientific magazine based in London, UK) and Start International Inc (USA).

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