As we celebrate the International Year of Indigenous Languages, The Miriam Tlali Reading and Book Club invites you a panel discussion on the theme ‘Literacy in Indigenous Languages as the Foundation of Community, Economic, Social and Political Advancement’.

Speakers for the event are Zambian librarian and columnist Mubanga Lumpa and academic and author Prof. Vuyisile Msila. The event will be facilitated by Malebo Sephodi, author of Miss Behave.

The discussion is in line with the United Nations Education and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) declaration of 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IY2019).

Event details

Date: 16 March 2019
Time: 13:00 to 15:00
Venue: wRite Associates, 74 Mimosa Road, Randpark Ridge, Johannesburg
RSVP: 060 509 5857 or info@writeassociates.co.za
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Press release:

Putting Indigenous Languages at the Centre of Dialogue, the Miriam Tlali Reading and Book Club will host a panel discussion on the 16th of March under the theme “Literacy in Indigenous Languages as the Foundation of Community, Economic, Social and Political Development.

Fluency in English is a measure of intelligence in our colonised minds. The political, economic, and social impact of the imposition of colonial culture and European languages on Africans is profoundly far-reaching.

Zakes Mda, prolific South African novelist, poet and playwright, in his article ‘We must create a culture where reading – in all languages – is respected’ states that: ‘Parliament itself pays only lip service to indigenous languages and privileges English, as honourable members childishly ridicule those who break the Queen’s language in their shoddy speeches. Infantile giggles and titters and howls become the order of the day. The message is clear: you do not belong in these august halls if you are not proficient in English.’

‘Before the colonial era, through the strong oral tradition of our indigenous languages we proudly perpetuated our cultural practices, our history and our sense of the world. Our self-identity and character were intact. We had a strong sense of direction because our culture served as our reference point to the past and to the future,’ notes Abe Mokoena, a Polokwane-based commentator, in an article entitled ‘Indigenous languages speak to cultural pride’.

As we celebrate the International Year of Indigenous Languages, the Miriam Tlali Reading and Book Club will host a panel discussion featuring Zambian librarian and columnist Mubanga Lumpa and academic and author Prof. Vuyisile Msila, facilitated by author Malebo Sephodi.

According to the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL) website, ‘Indigenous languages matter for social, economic, and political development, peaceful coexistence, and reconciliation in our societies. Yet many of them are in danger of disappearing.’

The Miriam Tlali Reading and Book Club, established in 2009, is a legacy programme under the South African Literary Awards (SALA), managed and co-ordinated by the wRite associates. The programme aims to celebrate and honour the life, times and the contribution of this prolific woman who has written extensively and has made history by being the first South African black woman writer to publish a novel in English.

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Categories Africa Non-fiction South Africa

Tags Book events Johannesburg Malebo Sephodi Miriam Tlali Reading and Book Club Mubanga Lumpa Vuyisile Msila wRite associates