“VUT champions accessibility with multilingual interpreting at 2025 Teaching and Learning Conference”
15 September 2025 | Story By: Tshepang Mothibedi | Picture: Keitumetse Makgope
2 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) showed its commitment to inclusivity in powerful ways during the 2025 Teaching and Learning Conference. Thanks to the African Languages Development Unit (ALDU), delegates could follow proceedings in Sesotho, isiZulu, and South African Sign Language, ensuring that no voice was left out of the conversation.
For Mr Jacob Thamaga, Manager of ALDU, this work reflects more than policy, it reflects principle. “Ensuring that participants can engage fully in conference proceedings regardless of their language background is central to VUT’s dedication to inclusivity and transformation,” he said.
The service not only honoured the linguistic diversity of South Africa but also placed historically marginalised languages at the centre of academic dialogue. By including South African Sign Language, the Unit extended its reach to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, affirming that accessibility is integral to academic excellence.
“Interpreting services are a key pillar in fulfilling the institution’s language policy goals,” Mr Thamaga explained. “They create an environment where cultural diversity and academic excellence coexist harmoniously.”
Delegates were reminded that ALDU offers translation and interpretation support for a range of university functions, provided requests are made with a completed brief to ensure tailored and timely service.
In a country rich in languages yet often divided by them, ALDU’s efforts show how universities can bridge gaps rather than deepen them. As Mr Thamaga concluded, “Our work is critical in ensuring that language is not a barrier but a bridge in academic spaces.”
The 2025 conference will be remembered not only for its ideas on innovation and inclusivity, but also for its lived demonstration of those values, in the voices, words, and signs that carried the message across every corner of the room.