The School of Arts (SoA) within the College of Human Sciences (CHS) recently hosted the highly anticipated Triennial School of Arts Conference at Sun City Resort, North West. The five-day event served as a hub for academics, artists and experts to explore the theme of the development, promotion and preservation of language through arts, culture, heritage, sport and music.

Prof Zodwa Motsa Madikane, Sho Madjozi, Prof Zethu Nkosi and Siyasanga Tyali

The conference attracted diverse university attendees, making it a vibrant gathering of minds and cultures. Each day of the event featured a distinguished keynote speaker who shared their insights on the pivotal role of language in preserving and promoting culture.

Prof Zethu Nkosi

The event was inaugurated by the Executive Dean of the CHS, Prof Zethu Nkosi, who emphasised the importance of language in society and its profound impact on people's lives. She explained: "The SoA conference aims to foster a deeper understanding of the significance of language in society and its profound impact on various aspects of people's lives. It will provide a platform for in-depth discussions on localising the International Decade of Indigenous Languages in Africa, focusing on South Africa."

The Vice-Principal of Teaching, Learning, Community Engagement and Student Support, Prof Zodwa Motsa Madikane, said: "Language is not just a means of communication; it's a vessel through which the rich tapestry of culture and tradition is passed down through generations." She emphasised the conference's role in exploring how language preservation, development and promotion contribute to the vibrancy of diverse communities worldwide. She highlighted the historical use of colonial languages as tools of control and domination.

Delvah Mabaso, the 2023 School of Arts Conference Committee Chairperson, spoke about the conference's significance, considering it coincided with Unisa's 150th anniversary. He highlighted Unisa's commitment to education, research and cultural exchange, noting that the institution welcomes learners from every corner of the globe.

The conference featured an impressive line-up of keynote speakers including:  

Keynote speaker, Maya Wegerif, also known as Sho Madjozi

Maya Wegerif, known as Sho Madjozi, is a highly successful and multi-award-winning artist. She is known for her unique blend of languages, including Xitsonga, English and Swahili, and genres such as gqom, Afropop and hip-hop.

Topic: "Huku na beer: a case for pan-indigenous dialogue"

Prof Sunday Ojo is a distinguished academic with over 40 years of experience in computer science. He is the Executive Director of the Inclusive African Indigenous Language Technology (AfrILT) Institute and is dedicated to preserving indigenous languages and promoting digital literacy. He is involved in the DataScientia project. The project highlights the intersection of technology, language and culture, which aligns with the conference's theme.

Topic: "Leveraging advances in human language technology for the development, promotion and preservation of African indigenous languages – challenges and opportunities"

Prof Tendai Chari is an Associate Professor and NRF C3-rated researcher at the University of Venda, South Africa. He specialises in English, media studies and linguistics. His research spans over two decades and focuses on political communication, popular culture, music and the relationship between digital media, communication and indigenous African languages.

Topic: "African languages, media, culture and coloniality of power: beyond tokenism"

Prof Tella Adeyinka is a highly accomplished academic and library and information science researcher. He plays a pivotal role at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, in advancing information literacy, communication technology and knowledge management. His expertise aligns with the conference theme's focus on the digital space and information preservation.

Topic: Indigenous languages and developing a global community through cultural heritage: library and information science's contribution"

Khehla Chepape Makgato is an independent artist, art historian, curator and arts writer. He is the founder of the Samanthole Institute of Creative Arts, which focuses on arts and literacy youth programmes. His work as a visual artist and curator has been featured in notable collections, and he is committed to promoting arts as a means of cultural expression and preservation, particularly in youth libraries of rural schools in Limpopo. His presence at the conference underscored the role of art and culture in language development and preservation.

Topic: "Reclaim the power of African indigenous languages in the works of Black artists"

The conference offered a forum for lively debates, thought-provoking presentations and networking opportunities, emphasising the importance of celebrating linguistic diversity and preserving cultural heritage.

Triennial School of Arts conference

#Unisa150

* By Tebogo Mahlaela, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Human Sciences