Pictures: Sjava awarded the PANSALB Language Activism Award
Jabulani Hadebe popularly known as Sjava was awarded the 2020 – 21 PANSALB Language Activism Award last night. The awards show was held at the Sun Arena, Emnotweni, Nelspruit in Mbombela. The music of Sjava has made an incredible cultural impact in South Africa. His use of indigenous languages has been applauded by PANSLAB who awarded him the award.
The Pan South African Language Board, abbreviated PanSALB is an organization in South Africa established to promote multilingualism, to develop the 11 official languages, and to protect language rights in South Africa. The Board was established in Act 59 of 1995 by the Parliament of South Africa. In addition to the 11 official languages of South Africa, PanSALB also strives for the development of the PanSALB structures include: Provincial Language Committees, the National Language Bodies and the National Lexicography Units.
Sjava has been with PANSALB for over two year now. During the days leading up to awards show, Sjava performed virtually and also gave lectures on culture and language. Despite tweeps dragging him for abuse and assault of fellow artists Lady Zamar, Sjava is respected and his work is well acknowledged.
In late 2020, The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) welcomed the recently published language policy framework for public higher education institutions in South Africa. The policy makes provisions for the recognition and development of indigenous languages within institutions of higher learning. Speaking about the framework, they had this to say
“In order for our society to effectively elevate the status of our indigenous languages, we have to transform and elevate them into languages of learning through which information and knowledge can be shared and learned. PanSALB is pleased therefore, that the Department of Higher Education has taken these practical steps towards ensuring the full recognition of all our indigenous languages,” PanSALB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bongumenzi Mpungose said on Tuesday.
Various studies have shown that the use of mother tongue in education can improve learners’ grasp of concepts and therefore may also play a significant role in the quality of the education system. PANSALB also had this to say;
“Institutions of higher learning should use this opportunity to align their language policies with the current language policy framework in order to improve the learning experience of their students and to contribute towards our collective responsibility of promoting multilingualism to encourage social cohesion,” Mpungose said.
The language policy framework provides guidelines for the development and inclusion of indigenous languages in higher learning institutions.
Pictures: Sjava awarded the PANSALB Language Activism Award
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