The Unisa Gauteng Library recently hosted a successful public lecture as part of the South African Library Week celebrations, under the theme "Reclaiming Knowledge, Empowering Futures". The event brought together students, academics and library professionals to engage in meaningful discussions about the role of knowledge and language in higher education.

The programme commenced with introductory remarks delivered by Dr Erin Naude, Acting Regional Director for the Gauteng Region. In her opening remarks, she welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of libraries as inclusive spaces that support learning, research and knowledge sharing.

Dr Christinah Mabena-Maako, a lecturer from the Department of African Languages at Unisa, presented the keynote address. Her presentation focused on the significance of linguistic diversity in higher education.

She informed attendees that students at Unisa can now pursue master’s degrees in their home languages. This development, she explained, is a crucial step toward reclaiming indigenous knowledge systems and making education more accessible. She further encouraged students to embrace and take pride in their own languages, emphasising that language is deeply connected to identity and cultural heritage.

The lecture created a platform for reflection on the role of multilingualism in academia, particularly in the South African context. It also aligned with the broader goals of South African Library Week, which promotes the importance of libraries in advancing knowledge and social transformation.

The event ended with closing remarks by Victor Mbuqe, Manager of Library Services in the Unisa Gauteng Region. He stressed the importance of academic integrity among students, cautioning against over-reliance on artificial intelligence tools when completing assignments. Urging students to use technology responsibly and ethically, Mbuqe emphasised that failure to reference sources properly could result in lecturers flagging academic misconduct.

Overall, the lecture was informative and empowering, reinforcing the vital role of libraries, language and ethical scholarship in shaping the future of education. 

* By Qumbisa Nontobeko Primrose, Communication and Marketing Intern, Gauteng Region