Indigenous Languages Dialogue supports unified continent | Western Cape Government

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Indigenous Languages Dialogue supports unified continent

5 August 2019

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), in partnership with the Swahili Language Board, Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), University of the Western Cape (UWC), Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and the Castle of Good Hope, hosted a dialogue on the role of indigenous languages in shaping the future of the African continent.

The event took place on 2 August 2019 at UWC. The Dialogue was attended by, amongst others, academics from Zimbabwe and Tanzania, high school learners, university students and Khoi-San representatives. It was mooted as an inaugural event, with a view to hosting future events to promote further discussion on this noteworthy topic.

Discourse focused around the importance of indigenous language as a mechanism for decolonisation and the importance of education and the youth in driving change. Key areas of discussion were around the African Union Agenda 2063, which is a blueprint to transform Africa into a global powerhouse.

The African Union Agenda 2063 states that African countries should work together to unite Africa, sharing a common language and identity and planning collectively as a continent, to attain amongst others, inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, democratic governance and peace and security.  The role of Kiswahili as a common language is considered key in shaping the future of the African continent.

Through creating mindfulness of the value of indigenous languages, we are enabling people to understand and respect each other better and to unify our continent. BETTER TOGETHER.

Media Enquiries: 

Dr Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877 / 076 093 4913
E-mail: Tania.Colyn@westerncape.gov.za