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04 March 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Kwanele Madonsela
Deputy Director   - Academy for Multilingualism with the school teachers showing off the donated Dictionaries
Dr Tholani Hlongwa (middle), Deputy Director of the UFS Academy for Multilingualism, emphasised that such initiatives promote a deeper appreciation of diverse perspectives while helping to overcome communication barriers among learners.

International Mother Language Day marks its silver jubilee, highlighting 25 years of linguistic diversity advocacy. On Friday 21 February 2025, the world observed the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day, a milestone celebrating a quarter of a century of efforts to promote multilingualism and cultural preservation.

International Mother Language Day, observed annually, promotes awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The UFS Qwaqwa Campus' 2025 event not only celebrated this diversity, but it also provided tangible support to the local education system.

The event placed a spotlight on the importance of mother tongue-based education (MTBE), particularly as the South African government and the Department of Education continue to roll out MTBE in the fourth year of schooling (Grade 4).

The day’s primary objective was to cultivate a welcoming environment where learners could share their languages and cultural identities, a vision that directly aligns with the UFS’ Vision 130. This strategic framework champions inclusivity, which aims to create platforms where diverse communities can interact and learn from one another, solidifying a sense of belonging for all.

A key feature of the commemoration was the distribution of 40 bilingual pictorial dictionaries to two local primary schools in Qwaqwa. Notably, one school caters for hearing learners, while the other provides education for Deaf learners, ensuring inclusivity in the initiative.

"This event was more than just a celebration; it was a powerful demonstration of inclusivity in action," stated Dr Tholani Hlongwa, Deputy Director from the UFS Academy for Multilingualism. "By bringing together Deaf and hearing learners, we are breaking down communication barriers and fostering a deeper understanding of each other's unique perspectives."

"This year's commemoration held particular significance, as we witnessed the continued progression of mother tongue-based education within our national curriculum," said Dr Hlongwa. "These bilingual dictionaries will serve as invaluable tools for both teachers and learners, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their mother languages."

The distribution of these resources aimed to support teaching and learning directly within the beneficiary schools, reinforcing the university's commitment to community engagement and educational development.

The Academy for Multilingualism at the UFS plays a crucial role in promoting and researching multilingualism, and this event highlighted its dedication to advancing language equity. The University of the Free State continues to demonstrate its dedication to the development of the communities surrounding its campuses.

The event at Thiboloha School for the Deaf and Blind stands as a testament to the UFS’ commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable society. By fostering dialogue and understanding, the university is actively contributing to a future where all individuals feel valued and respected. This initiative has not only enriched the lives of the participating learners, but it also set a precedent for future collaborations that champion multilingualism and inclusivity within the broader community.

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Community of Qwaqwa gives Prof Petersen a warm Basotho welcome
2017-05-16

 

 Description: Prof Petersen with Basotho hat and blanket Tags: Prof Petersen with Basotho hat and blanket

 Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State
Photo: Ian van Straaten

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Various stakeholders pledged their support to the newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS), Prof Francis Petersen, during the first in a series of welcoming events that was held at the Qwaqwa Campus on Thursday 11 May 2017.

A message of support and welcome from the Paramount Queen of the Bakoena Royal Council, Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli, took everybody in attendance back three decades to the time when the campus was first established.

“The Qwaqwa Campus of the then University of the North was created to swell this area and the broader Eastern Free State with intellectual capacity,” she said.

“It is with this in mind that we encourage you, Prof Petersen, to continue upholding the best of your predecessors. Search for what they could not achieve and learn from that. Traditional leadership in this area will always be a friend to the university,” she added.

Description: Community of Qwaqwa gives Prof Petersen a warm Basotho welcome Tags: Community of Qwaqwa gives Prof Petersen a warm Basotho welcome

Prof Petersen received a warm Basotho
welcome from Morena Thokoana Mopeli and
Paramount Queen Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli of
the Bakoena Royal Council. With them is
Mrs Cheslyn Petersen.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

The Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District was represented by the Acting District Director, Lindiwe Mabaso, who expressed the district’s pride in being associated with the university.

“Our district is excelling in Mathematics and Science, and this can be attributed to the educators that we get from the Qwaqwa Campus. We are proud to say that we are number one nationally when it comes to Mathematics and Science, and this is through the support we get from the campus. Our schools will continue to be centres of excellence under the new leadership of Prof Petersen,” she said.

Staff and students weigh in

Both Nehawu and Uvpersu expressed their optimism in working with Prof Petersen.

Branch chairperson of Nehawu, Teboho Pitso, said the union appreciated the fact that Prof Petersen was taking over the leadership of the institution at a very difficult time, both institutionally and nationally.

“As workers, we are faced with a lot of challenges and we hope that none of us will be retrenched under your leadership,” he said to an appreciative audience consisting of various internal and external stakeholders.

Acting Chairperson of UVPERSU, Khethiwe Biyo, said the workers’ union was happy that Prof Petersen believed in teamwork.

“Your commitment in working with us is appreciated. We look forward to learning from you about institutional innovation,” she said.

Students were represented by the Qwaqwa Campus SRC President, Njabulo Mwali, who expressed the need for a deeper and detailed transformation process.

“Your expertise and skills have set you above all other aspirant applicants for this position, and we hope that we will learn a lot on this journey,” he said.

“We at the UFS are actively, intentionally,
and continuously engaged in promoting
diversity.”

"Ensure fairness" 

In his response, Prof Petersen emphasised the importance of inclusivity and innovativeness. He said, “Staff and students at the three sites of learning must do all they can to ensure that the UFS realises its goal of being an inclusive institution, one that provides equal access and opportunities to everyone, makes a conscious effort to prevent discrimination, and ensure fairness.”

“Being committed to inclusivity means that we at the UFS are actively, intentionally, and continuously engaged in promoting diversity. This diversity is expressed through our people and through the curriculum, and in the way we work with our communities to promote awareness, empathy, and understanding of the complex ways individuals interact. As you know, our ultimate goal as a university is not only to educate young people up to the point that they graduate. What they learn during their time with us should help shape them into people who can think innovatively in order to address the challenges that face us in the 21st century,” he said.

The Qwaqwa Campus Chorale and the award-winning choir from The Beacon Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba provided the entertainment.

Similar events will respectively be hosted on the South and Bloemfontein Campuses on 18 and 19 May 2017.

 

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