THE Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust commemorated International Mother Tongue Day with a special gathering recently. Community leaders, learners and storytellers from all over the continent assembled under the Storytelling Tree at the Bluff Showgrounds to participate in the annual event.

Also read: Storytelling festival returns to the storytelling tree on The Bluff

This year’s celebration drew performers, writers, dancers and teachers who share the mutual goal, a love for language. They came together to acknowledge the importance of safeguarding and celebrating the country’s native languages. International Mother Language Day serves as an annual reminder to acknowledge and protect local languages.

Dr. Nokugcina Mhlophe, the trust’s director, said that this year’s theme “See Me. Hear Me, Let’s Dance,” put attention on how important it is to accept and make known special abilities like sight, hearing and movement. Mhlophe said that preservation of indigenous language has dwindled as years pass.

“We are living in times when communication is overshadowed by social media and other internet-driven activities.  Families and friends spend less and less time talking to one another. This adversely affects the preservation of indigenous languages globally,” said Mhlophe.

The event provided a starting point for emerging artists such as Nomcebo Cele, who used the occasion to present her first book, Ubukhazikhazi Bezinkanyezi. Additionally, the director of the KZN Library for the Blind spoke to the audience about the significance of releasing audiobooks and Braille versions to assure inclusivity. The director of the African Languages Department at the University of South Africa also gave a speech, speaking about the necessity of promoting and reinforcing African languages in educational institutions.

People attending the event were able to see and hear poetry, traditional dances and witness stories come alive in many languages.

“There is no age limit to enjoying mother language day,” said Mhlophe.

The day honoured the various languages that help make up the rainbow nation that South Africa proudly represents.

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