Johnathan Paoli

THE University of South Africa (Unisa) celebrated its 150th Anniversary in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa on Monday.

The event was organised jointly by Unisa and the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), through the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Ethiopia. 

South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, delivered the keynote address, themed “Science diplomacy (and innovation) in the reclaiming of Africa’s intellectual futures into the next 150 years”; pointing out her personal link to the university and its rich history. 

A hundred years ago, Pandor’s grandfather, prominent academic ZK Matthews, became the first black man to graduate from Unisa.

“Africa recognises Unisa as being a life-changing institution for many people, especially the working class, who don’t often enjoy the opportunities offered by elite and expensive contact universities,” Minister Pandor continued.

The Minister raised the significant achievements of the University, producing 800 Master’s graduates and numerous PhDs across Africa.

“These graduates, and other Unisa alumni across the continent, should be used to good effect as full time researchers in our various ministries, departments, and public institutions, because that is what is meant by reclaiming intellectual futures. Through their research and the skills they have acquired, they will inform the kinds of changes we wish to see,” she said.

She went on to point to the necessity of creating a set of African countries that can facilitate the ability to create a new and different world, stressing the eradication of poverty as well as utilising intellectual resources to develop concrete plans. More importantly the need to become the best quality Africans, and not to copy the West.

She cited the example of African issues that require urgent solutions as those ranging from how to turn shanty towns into smart cities, devising a cure for a disease killing thousands,  African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, to the development of a vaccine for HIV and a new treatment for tuberculosis.

Minister Pandor said that the possibilities of science are limitless, proceeding with groundbreaking research and innovation, she reminded the gathering of the inevitability of the increasing importance of multilateralism, and how this will be strengthened as countries break through frontiers with far greater speed and effectiveness through cooperation.

“My hope,” she said, “is that in rebooting multilateralism and recasting it, science will also help to fortify the bonds of global solidarity on many of the pressing issues of our time. It is time that the issues of Africa become the preeminent issues of the globe. It is only if we, as Africans, make this our agenda that we will achieve this objective.”

Prof Puleng Lenkabula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), briefly recounted the institution’s illustrious history as the world’s first – and preeminent – distance education institution.

“Africans across the continent, and the diaspora, can be immensely proud of this unique innovation that Unisa has added to human civilization as an African contribution,” Vice-Chancellor Lenkabula said.

Describing the evening as a celebration of the South African and Ethiopian governments and people, she pointed to the Pan-African nature of Unisa that shapes futures in the service of humanity and went on to celebrate the establishment of the Ethiopia Regional Centre as a significant milestone in this endeavor. 

“We have looked into ten catalytic niche areas central to the developmental questions that the continent faces, a solutions system that we as Africans through knowledge, research, innovation, research, engagement and partnership can establish,” she continued.

In closing she welcomed attendees to “this important celebration of the university of leaders, the university that is a partner to the continent, and the university that projects Africa’s civilizations, knowledge and technologies across the globe”.

The Ethiopian Minister of Education, Dr Bernahu Nega, congratulated the university on its 150th anniversary as a place of cooperating thought, knowledge production and truth. 

“What is important in this continent, in my view, is not just to expand education. We must make sure that we expand quality education,” Dr Nega said.

A fascinating panel discussion of the main issues relating to reclaiming Africa’s intellectual futures followed the main speakers, with Ambassador Xolisa Makaya, Head of the South African Embassy in Ethiopia, delivering the vote of thanks.

Prof Lenkabula,  Minister Dr Pandor; and Minister Dr Bernahu Nega, presided over the cake-cutting ceremony at the conclusion of the celebration.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Staff Reporter

Instead of simply filling a student’s mind with information, education should ignite a passion for learning, foster critical thinking, and enable students to grasp the concepts being taught fully.

“Mother tongue instruction serves as the foundation for this kindling of the educational flame, as it allows learners to connect with the subject matter on a deeper level, empowering them to explore and understand the world around them with greater clarity and enthusiasm,” said Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, at last week’s two-day the Language Policy Conference in Johannesburg.

She said educators bear the responsibility of helping the student to lead a richer and fuller life and developing his mental and spiritual qualities to the utmost. “Our gathering here today is not driven by an irrational attachment to multilingualism; rather, it is a response to a solemn call embedded within our founding Constitution and Bill of Rights.”

“These constitutional principles enshrine the importance of language diversity, recognising the significance of every language in our nation’s tapestry,” she added.

The Minister said the dedication should extend to ensuring the equitable recognition and preservation of all official languages, including Sign Language, which recently was added as the 12th official language of South Africa.

“Embracing multilingualism in our classrooms is not just a matter of policy; it is an opportunity to empower our learners, enrich their minds, and cultivate a sense of belonging,” she said. Throughout the years, she said the department has implemented several language programmes within the basic educational system.

English and Afrikaans have long served as mediums of instruction, but the importance of incorporating African languages as Languages of Learning and Teaching has been recognised as paramount to learning and teaching.

She said one of the remarkable initiatives in the journey towards embracing multilingual education is the Eastern Cape Mother Tongue Bilingual Education Pilot Project. Spearheaded by the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE), this project is a shining example of how language can be harnessed to empower our learners and enhance their educational experience.

Since 2012, the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) has been progressively implementing the Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education (MTBBE) strategy for Mathematics and Natural Science and Technology, starting from Grade 4.

At the core of this programme is the principle of epistemological access to the curriculum, aiming to broaden students’ understanding of subject matter by teaching it in their mother tongues.In 2017, the MTBBE programme was piloted in 72 schools in Cofimvaba and later extended to all districts in the province, with a new cohort phased in each year. Currently, an impressive 2,015 schools across all 12 districts are actively implementing this programme.

This initiative allows learners in these schools to learn all content subjects through their home languages up to Grade 8, with Grade 9 planned for phased implementation in 2023 to complete the Senior Phase.

“The results of the MTBBE project have been nothing short of remarkable. A Grade 5 analysis reported that MTBBE learners outperformed their non-MTBBE counterparts in Mathematics (53% vs. 40%) and Natural Science and Technology (70% vs. 50%),” she said.

She said these findings reinforce the value of providing education in learners’ mother tongues, enabling them to grasp complex concepts more effectively and excel academically.

The success of the Eastern Cape Mother Tongue Bilingual Education Pilot Project has been achieved through collaborative efforts.

“We thank Rhodes University, University of Fort Hare, Oxford University Press, Pearson, and Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) for their valuable support and partnership.

“Research worldwide affirms that learners learn best when taught in their mother tongue. It enhances their cognitive abilities, fosters better teacher-learner relationships, and boosts their overall academic performance.”

“As we emphasise the promotion of African languages in our basic educational system, we must acknowledge the significant role played by the English language in today’s interconnected world.Our goal is not to replace English but rather to empower our learners with proficiency and pride in their mother tongues while maintaining competence in English,” Motshekga said.

In South Africa, English is the second most commonly spoken language outside the household, following isiZulu, with isiXhosa being the third-most common. Within the schooling system, English holds a leading position as a Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT).

Out of approximately 23,719 public schools in South Africa, only 2,484 schools use Afrikaans as the
language of instruction in single, dual, or parallel mediums.

“As we navigate the complexities of our multilingual landscape, we must recognise the dual significance of promoting African languages while maintaining and enhancing English language proficiency.”

INSIDE EDUCATION

Staff Reporter

Minister of Higher Education, and Science Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, opened the College of Cape Town Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Skills Centre in the Western Cape last Friday.

“What makes this event so exciting is that it touches on the fundamental reasons for the government’s decision to establish TVET colleges,” said Nzimande.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training refers to the vocational or occupational nature of programmes offered, meaning that it prepares learners for a specific job, several employment possibilities, or self-employment.

Nzimande said TVET colleges mainly train young people to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed in the labour market.

Interestingly, the event took place exactly ten years after the declaration of the Year of the Artisan launched by Nzimande in 2013. It was also the 20th anniversary of the merger of 152 South African public TVET colleges into 50 colleges in 2003.

“Today, I remain gratified because the TVET College of Cape Town has demonstrated and led by example that our TVET sector can collaborate with other spheres of government and the private sector to empower citizens,” Nzimande said. This college has a total of eight delivery sites made up of six campuses offering Ministerial, Artisanal and occupational programmes as well as short skills programmes in collaboration with national and international universities.

Three sites are centres of specialisation for Robotics, Plumbing, Automotive and Mechanical programmes.The College boasts of having Trade Test Centres for Plumbing, Automotive, Chef and Hair and Beauty care. The other two sites are Skills Centres, in which one centre, the Wynberg Skills Centre, offers occupational programmes in Hair Care and Beauty up to NQF Level 5.

“In South Africa, we have about 3,6 million youth between the ages of 15-24 who are neither in education, employment nor training (NEETs). This, therefore, means there is much work for all of us to do to ensure that we create the necessary training and job opportunities,” the Minister said.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Staff Reporter

Athletes and staff at the University of the Western Cape are flying the institution’s flag high in China at the International University of Sports Federation World University Games (FISU).

Three students, two of whom are participating, with one working as a media officer and three staff members, recently jetted off to Chengdu. The contingent forms part of the University Sport South Africa’s Team South Africa.

The FISU World University Games takes place every two years, includes 15 compulsory sports, and encourages student-athletes worldwide to combine high-performing sports and intellectual pursuits. Some of the sporting codes include archery, athletics, basketball, table tennis, tennis, swimming and fencing.

This is the first overseas trip for 24-year-old UWC athlete Gianno Peddy. The games represent an opportunity to showcase years of hard work and dedication for the 100m and 200m sprinter.

“It’s a big experience for me. My goal is the Olympics, and I believe this is a stepping stone,’’ said Peddy (pictured left).

The pressure and excitement of performing at an international level are shared with 25-year-old UWC basketball player Nkosinathi Chibi: This will put my name on the international stage to represent my country and to wear the green and gold.’’ 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Chengdu World Student Games were placed on hold for two years. It kicked off again at the end of July and will run until 10 August 2023.

UWC Director of Sport Mandla Gagayi, who led the last student games in 2019 in Italy, said the preparation and build-up to the games are gruelling. South Africa boasted of winning 18 medals that year.

“During the two years, they only get to finalise teams. Six months before the competition, you have one year to select teams and six months to confirm who will be attending. There are several heartbreaks as many are told a few months before that they have not made the team,’’ said Gagayi.

After the send-off, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Development and Support, Professor Matete Madiba, expressed excitement about students and staff participating and engaging with international counterparts. She called on the contingent to make the university proud.

“At UWC, great things are happening, and to say… we are here, and we are UWC. We want the world to know that we are performing at an international level,’’ said Prof Madiba.

INSIDE EDUCATION