“VUT celebrates Heritage Month as learners showcase indigenous languages through poetry, storytelling and speeches at the 2026 Indigenous Languages Reading Competition.”
22 September 2026 | Story by: Ntebogeleng Digasu | Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza
5 minutes read time.
Young voices rang out in poetry, storytelling and powerful speeches as the Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) African Languages Development Unit (ALDU) within the Centre for Academic Development (CAD) hosted the 2026 Indigenous Languages Reading Competition at Saul Tsotetsi in Sebokeng on 18 September, bringing Heritage Month celebrations to life through language, culture and the power of expression.
The main purpose of the competition was to promote and preserve indigenous languages and cultural heritage by creating a platform where learners could confidently express themselves through poetry, storytelling, prepared speeches and unprepared speeches. The initiative also sought to reconnect young people with their languages and culture while encouraging them to carry this heritage forward to future generations.
Held in collaboration with Emfuleni Local Municipality, the competition brought together learners from Botebo Tsebo, Thuto Tiro, Moshate, Katleho Impumelelo, Sechaba Sohle and Dinokaneng secondary schools. Learners competed in four categories: poetry, storytelling, prepared speech and unprepared speech, showcasing their confidence and creativity in indigenous languages.
Speaking on the purpose of the event, Mr Garvin Morne from Botebo Tsebo Secondary School said the initiative was about reclaiming and preserving indigenous languages and ensuring that they are passed on to future generations.
“We need to bring our language back and our own culture. The upcoming generation needs to know our language,” he said.
Programme director Ms Lomile Mokoena, a Sesotho Language Practitioner from CAD, encouraged participants to embrace their individuality and recognise the artistry involved in communication.
“You can be whatever you want to be if you put more pressure on it. Just be yourself. When you speak, you apply art. We, as speakers, are artists,” she said.
The programme was enriched by cultural performances from Ms Precious Thabisa Ngqentsu, a Gauteng Traffic Warden, who delivered a powerful isiXhosa poem, and Mr Makgothama Ma-Caiphus from Molemo Local Municipality, who performed a Sepedi poem.
The message of support from MMC for Sport, Recreation, Arts, Culture and Library Services, Councillor Lehlohonolo Malindi, highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous languages and making educational resources accessible to young people.
“We have libraries for you, and we are here for you. Our indigenous languages are the most important thing we could ever celebrate,” he said.
The competition produced outstanding performances across all four categories. In Poetry, Ms Asimthande Ngwenya from Thuto Tiro took first place, followed by Ms Palesa Mthi from Dinokaneng in second and Ms Itumeleng Matase from Sechaba Sohle in third.
In Prepared Speech, Ms Inam Nogqala from Moshate claimed first place, with Ms Nolwazi Mkhize from Sechaba Sohle second and Ms Lesego Malone from Botebo Tsebo third.
In Unprepared Speech, Mr Ziviwe Makrezeni took first place, followed by Ms Oratilwe Phadi from Botebo Tsebo in second and Ms Keke Zanele from Botebo Tsebo in third.
In Storytelling, Mr Sizwe Ndlovu from Sechaba Sohle Secondary School emerged first, with Qwalasela Mngadi from Moshate Secondary School second and Ms Itumeleng Matane from Sechaba Sohle third.
Adding to the significance of the achievement, the VUT E-Learning Department sponsored laptops for all first-place winners, providing learners with valuable educational tools to support their studies and continued development.
For Ms Palesa Mthi, who secured second place in poetry, the competition provided an opportunity to express herself through poetry and to celebrate her language and heritage.
“Being part of this competition allowed me to express myself through poetry and my indigenous language. It showed me that our languages still have a place in our future,” she said.
Mr Ziviwe Makrezeni, the first-place winner in the unprepared speech category, said the experience strengthened her confidence and reminded her of the importance of speaking indigenous languages with pride.
“Winning was a special moment for me, but what I value most is the opportunity I was given to speak and represent my language. It taught me that we should never be ashamed of our indigenous languages. We must speak to them proudly and pass them on to the next generation,” she said.
In her closing remarks, Mr Antoinette Lombard expressed her appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the event, including the host, organisers, programme director, school representatives, adjudicators, VUT teams, interns, sponsors and partners. She also acknowledged the VUT Creative Arts and Culture Group, the PR and media team, and the VUT East Rand Campus, which assisted in securing sponsorship through the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
Mr Lombard encouraged learners to continue reading, writing and speaking their indigenous languages, quoting Dr Seuss: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.”
As South Africa celebrates Heritage Month, the competition served as a powerful reminder that indigenous languages are not relics of the past, but living expressions of identity, culture and belonging.
Re a thaba ka setso sa rona. Masixabise isiXhosa sethu. Masiziqhenye ngesiZulu Sethu. A re ipele ka dipuo tsa rona. Sema Africa let us celebrate our languages, our culture and who we are.