FBMS celebrates linguistic diversity

The Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS) hosted its inaugural Mother Language Day, bringing together diverse students from various linguistic backgrounds. This significant event aimed to celebrate their heritage and encourage students to take pride in their mother languages/zidle ngolwimi lwakho/ wees trots op jou taal.

The event was organised by FBMS staff and students, including the FBMS Language Committee task team and the Unit for Language and Academic Literacies. It was sponsored by Red Bull. Nobuhle Luphondo-Ncanda, the Acting Language Coordinator of FBMS, stated that the purpose of the event was to celebrate linguistic diversity, appreciate students' respective mother tongues, and encourage participation in the FBMS. “Our ultimate goal was to nurture and promote competencies in languages other than English, ensuring that these do not create barriers for speakers of other languages. This aligns with our commitment to uphold the constitutional values of inclusivity, social cohesion, and equitable access.”

Students were invited to write and submit poems in their mother tongue, with the requirement to also provide translations into English for those who do not understand their first language. This initiative by the faculty aimed to celebrate students' native languages and was a resounding success, receiving over 30 poem submissions. “It was very difficult for us as a team to choose the best 10 poems,” Luphondo-Ncanda shared.

The top 10 poems were selected based on their quality and authenticity. Each submission was checked using AI detection and plagiarism software. Lunga Nanase, one of the participants, expressed: “I'm deeply inspired by today’s event. I would appreciate it if you could keep me in mind for future events or gatherings.”

Luphondo-Ncanda remarked: “As lecturers, we often underestimate our students. It became clear that when they engage in the languages, they are comfortable with, they participate fully and give their best effort.”

She continued: “To me, as an individual, it meant: Celebrating mother tongues is a celebration of identity. It’s about honouring the first language that shaped our earliest thoughts, emotions, and stories. Personally, it feels like reconnecting with the voices of our elders, the lullabies, idioms, and expressions that no other language can quite replicate. It's a moment of pride and remembrance—a way to say, this is where I come from, and it matters.”

For the faculty, this event serves as a beacon of inclusivity, cultural awareness, and linguistic diversity. It fosters a profound sense of belonging among students and staff who speak various mother tongues, encouraging an atmosphere of mutual respect. Moreover, it highlights the pivotal role of language in knowledge creation, expression, and learning, which lies at the heart of any academic mission.

At the institutional level, this event boldly embraces South Africa’s rich multilingual heritage and the broader African context. It aligns seamlessly with the goals of transformation, the decolonization of education, and active community engagement. This commitment demonstrates that CPUT treasures linguistic heritage not just as a cultural artifact, but as an essential and vibrant aspect of its identity and educational philosophy.

Luphondo-Ncanda also encouraged the CPUT community to participate in similar events: “As we gather to honour our mother tongues, we celebrate more than just words—we celebrate identity, heritage, and the unique rhythm of every culture that forms part of the CPUT family.

“Let us continue to appreciate multilingualism and translanguaging as a resource to support our students. Let us leverage our students’ mother tongues to ensure access. Let this event remind us that multilingualism is not a barrier, but a bridge—connecting us, enriching our learning, and deepening our understanding. May we continue to build a CPUT where all languages are respected, where every student and staff member feels seen and heard, and where diversity is celebrated as our greatest strength. Be proud of your mother tongue/ zidle ngolwimi lwakho/ wees trots op jou taal.”

Luphondo-Ncanda expressed gratitude to FUNDANI for their support, which helped them provide prizes and vouchers to the winners.

Winners:

First Prize: R3000 - Akanani Lungani (Graduate Centre for Management, GCM Department) for the poem titled I Choose a Bear / Ndikhetha Ibhere.

Second Prize: R2000 Voucher - Lucille Jacobs (Accounting and Internal Auditing Department) for the poem titled Herfs is amptelik hier /Autumn is officially here.

Third Prize: R1000 Voucher - Neo Lekgeu for the poem titled The Heartbeat of Sekhukhune/ Go Betha ga Pelo ya Sekhukhune.

Special Recognitions:

Best Performer: Xolani Mabuyaze (Event & Tourism Department).

Best Performer:Lucille Jacobs (Accounting and Internal Auditing Department)

Best Dresser: Zama Ncwane (Entrepreneurship Department).

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: BoyceAp@cput.ac.za