All the PanSALB awards

INDIVIDUALS who have contributed largely in the promotion, preservation and protection of multilingualism were honoured at the Pan South African Language Board’s (PanSALB) inaugural public lecture and language awards at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Tuesday.

The event, whose aims were to raise awareness of multilingualism and celebrate 28 days of language activism last month, was also in support of the observance of International Mother Language Day, declared for February 21 annually by the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

Leading discussion about linguistic human rights promotion and the use of all official languages, retired Judge Albie Sachs said the constitution provided a framework for what was most needed in this country – the invigoration and projection of African languages, “Not only in daily discourse, but in the public discourse, in literature, in science in law and elsewhere”.

“But we don’t have to amend the constitution to get there,” he said.

“The mechanisms are there, we have to develop the policies to achieve the kind of progress and advances we envisaged.”

Sachs said South Africa had not solved the language question, but had avoided disastrous policies and approaches.

Winners at the awards included singer Nathi for his album UmbuleloWam, and in the Language and Literature Category, for Zulu, Mbongeni Cyprian Nzimande for AyixoxekiNakuxoxeka; forTsonga, Musa Aubrey Baloyi for VutlhariByaLunya; for Afrikaans, Helena Barnard for Gramadoelas!; for Khoisan Language, Agatha Pienaar; for English, Fred Khumalo for #ZuptasMustFall, and Other Rants; and for Sign Language, Nenio Mbazima.

Accepting his award, Mbazima said: “We deaf people know how to speak, and we speak with our hands, hence I had to put my award down.

“In 2007 is when I started writing. I had an idea to write comedy, and I wrote about five pages and showed it to my friend.

“Since then I’ve been writing.

“Five years later, I wrote about 45 pages and now today my friend is like ‘What?’.

“There are people who have given me some negative feedback and told me to give up.

“But now today, I’m accepting an award. I did not give up. And I’m accepting it on behalf of all people with disabilities.”

Language activist Florence Masebe was honoured for her contribution to Venda, Mongezi Bolofo for his contribution to Zulu and Cornelius Lourens for Afrikaans and Official Languages.

The Chairperson’s Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Prof E’skia Mphahlele for his promotion and preservation of indigenous languages.

PanSALB chief executive officer Dr Rakwena Monareng, said as South Africans celebrated linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism, it was important to keep reflecting on the use of all official languages and other languages as enshrined in the founding document of the constitution.

Under the theme “#SpeakitLiveit” the PanSALB inaugural lecture and language awards was organised to continue creating conditions to promote, protect and preserve multilingualism in the country.

Pictures: PHANDO JIKELO SINGER: Winners on the night included singer Nathi for his album: UmbuleloWam.

SUPPORTERS: Language activists received awards and applauded winners at the Pan South African Language Board’s inaugural public lecture and language awards at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

COMMUNICATOR: Bellah Malangwane collects her award, recognising both the written and the oral modes of linguistic and/or literary expression, for her Swati work titled Ematfundvuluka.

PERFORMER: Jessica Mbangeni, one of South Africa’s most sought after female iimbongi (praise singers), performs at the awards, which aimed to raise awareness of multilingualism and celebrate 28 days of language activism last month.

LEGEND: Katrina Esau, one of the last remaining speakers of a Khoisan language that was thought extinct nearly 40 years ago, was acknowledged for her role in the preservation of the language.

MINISTER: Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula said it was shocking that most government departments did not have a language policy, as revealed by PanSALB. His department was awarded for its promotion of multilingualism.

VISIONARY: The Chairperson’s Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Prof E’skia Mphahlele. His son Puso accepted the award.

INTERPRETER: Natasha Parkins-Malika receives an award in the Translation and Interpreting category from PanSALB chief executive Rakwena Monareng.

MUSIC MAKER: PanSALB recognised Bangani Skhosana for his music that promotes iSwati. Handing over the award is Rakwena Monareng.

ON AIR: SuperSport commentator Baba Mthethwa was honoured for his contribution to the promotion and preservation of his mother tongue.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: PanSALB awarded the eThekwini Municipality for its role in promoting multilingualism.