The issue of indigenous languages
Posted by BYELONGO ELISEE ISHELOKE on 19 July 2022, 11:50 SAST
Speech by Dr Byelongo Elisée Isheloke for the Heritage month commemoration on 28 September 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Molweni, Sani bonani, Jambo Afrika, Mwabyo’e, Saluton gekaraj, Goeie more, Salam maleikhum, Shalom, fellow Africans, friends of Africa and distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Malaika, nakupenda Malaika x2 Nami nifanyeje, kijana mwenzio, (nashindwa na mali sina weee, ningekuowa malaika x2 (a song in memory of Mama Afrika Miriam Makeba)).
It is a privilege and honour to be invited to speak about a theme I hold dear in my heart. At a glance, I should say that the invitation was to tell a story that promotes indigenous languages – a monumental but not impossible task to accomplish, when we know that it talks to our African identity.
The event is organised to commemorate the Heritage Month. I thank the organisers for this.