VUT Youth Day Commemoration places a spotlight on the struggle for language rights, 30 years into democracy
By: Thabisang Thebeeapelo – 20 June 2024
Annually on 16 June, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) joins South African youth and the country at large in commemorating Youth Day; and this year was no exception. The day captures the essence of that momentous event in 1976 when young people protested the Bantu Education Act, which enforced Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools.
To mark the 48th anniversary of this important day in the country’s history books, VUT’s Centre for Academic Development (CAD) in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation gathered staff and students at the Desmond Tutu Great Hall for a commemorative event on 14 June 2024. While the event’s focal point was on the struggle for language rights, it also provided a critical platform for those in attendance to discuss critical challenges, share success stories, and reflect on experiences that have shaped society 30 years into democracy.
As they took to the podium, many of the day’s speakers, including Dr. Muntuwenkosi Chili, CAD Executive Director, emphasised the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by those who came before. “Their demands for better education and economic opportunities were met with brutal force, leading to the tragic loss of many young lives, like that of Hector Peterson,” Recounted Dr Chili.
Dr. Tebogo J. Rakgogo, Head of Department for Applied Languages at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) gave the day’s keynote address. In his address, focusing on the historiographic analysis of the partnership between missionaries and the colonial government during the colonial era. Dr. Rakgogo also delved deeply into various aspects, including the arrival of missionaries in South Africa, the diversity of languages in the country, and the current state of government policies and practices related to these languages.
His presentation was followed by a panel discussion drew significant connections to the issue of English and Afrikaans dominance within the country, sparking thought-provoking discussions among attendees. The panel members also brought up important topics such as curriculum transformation, the role of indigenous languages after 30 years of democracy, access and inclusivity in higher education, and the implementation of the VUT Language Policy.
The event also featured guests such as Dr. Sally Maepa, the Gauteng Senior Provincial Manager at the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB); Lebeko Maenetja, Language Practitioner from the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation; Semakaleng Moeketsi, Senior Officer: Training & Development at Emfuleni Local Municipality; Jacob Thamaga, Manager of the African Languages Development Unit (ALDU) at VUT; Vido Kungune, Acting Director: Internationalisation at VUT, Zakes Hlongwani, President of the VUT Student Representative Council and Teboho Botjabotseha the VUT Acting Transformation Manager.
What is a Youth Day event without entertainment? Throughout the event, attendees were entertained with vibrant cultural performances from ‘Ditshepe Tsa Ngwao Ya Setswana’ and ‘Inkunzi Ezimdaka’ dance groups who kept the audience on the edge of their seats, further enhancing the atmosphere of remembrance and celebration.