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International Mother Language Day with a focus on local schools

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.

News Archive

UFS gives recognition to excellent researchers

2004-11-16

p>The University of the Free State will give recognition to excellent researchers at UFS on Tuesday 16 November 2004. “This recognition function will also serve as the first annual lecture in research excellence,” says Prof Frans Swanepoel, Director of Research Development Division at the UFS.

This is the first occasion of its kind in the UFS. It coincides with the university’s centenary celebrations. The recognition of excellent research shows the UFS’s commitment and innovative focus on research as one of its core functions,” says Prof. Swanepoel.

Recognition will be given in different categories. They are female researchers, black researchers, young researchers, C- and L-Rated researchers, researchers with significant research outputs, B-Rated researchers and distinguished professors in research.

The promotion of equity and development of research capacity of designated groups is one of the objectives of the UFS’s research strategy therefore the university is recognising the research achievements of 21 women and 16 black persons. Amongst these are Prof. Margaret Raftery (English and Classical Languages), Dr Liesl van As (Zoology and Entomology), Prof. Peter Mbati (head of the Qwaqwa campus) and Prof. Charles Ngwena (Constitutional Law and Philosophy of Law).

The UFS is also recognising nine young researchers. They must hold a doctorate and have the potential to establish themselves as researchers within a five-year period based on their performance and productivity as researchers during their doctoral studies and/or early post-doctoral careers. Amongst them are Dr Esta van Heerden (Microbial Biochemical and Food Biotechnology) and Prof. André Jooste (Agricultural Economics).

Fifty-eight established researchers with a sustained recent record of productivity are receiving recognition in the C- and L-rated researchers’ category. Amongst them were Prof. Hennie van Coller (Afrikaans, Dutch, German and French) and Prof. Gert Erasmus (Animal- and Wildlife- and Grassland Sciences).

Prof. Francois Tolmie (New Testament) and Prof. Gina Joubert (Biostatistics) are two of the twelve researchers that are receiving recognition for having excelled in research outputs during recent years.

Nine researchers are acknowledged in the B-category for the international recognition they receive from their peers for the high quality and impact of their recent research outputs. Amongst them were Prof. Johan Grobbelaar (Plant Sciences) and Prof. Hendrik Swart (Physics). Prof. Grobbelaar focused in his research on limnology, algal biotechnology, plant stress and Prof. Swart focused on solid state physics and degradation mechanisms that are responsible for the degradation of field emission and TV displays.

Seven individuals are recognised for their exceptional achievements as researchers. Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector, but previously in the Department of Economics, is recognised for his research in two policy areas: Political Economics, Government Finance and Fiscal Policy, and Industrial Economics, in particular analysis of the South African industrial structure and competition policy, where his research contributions played a key role in reforming South Africa’s competition policy.

Prof. Lodewyk Kock (Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology) focuses in his research mainly on pure and oxidised edible oil where yeasts are used as a study model. He obtained national as well as international recognition for this research program.

The UFS is also awarding the S2A3 Bronze Medal to recognise a Master’s degree student who has delivered outstanding research in one of the sciences. Mr Pieter Taljaard and Ms Tania Venter are recognised in this category.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
16 November 2004

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