Ndithetha kancinci kuba ndingumlungu           

Inspiration........

Being English and Afrikaans in the Western Cape, communicating in my home language is no big deal. Without exception, if I interact with someone whose first language is isiXhosa, the conversation takes place in either of my first languages. Just because I’m white, it’s presumed that I know absolutely no Xhosa, which is the second most widely-spoken in the language Western Cape after Afrikaans. I find that very unfair.

Someone’s language is an intrinsic part of their identity. Being able to communicate with someone in their mother tongue is a skill which gives one unrivalled rewards: apart from personal benefits like furthering one’s career, simply making an effort to learn more about other people’s cultures and languages is deeply appreciated, especially in the context of our segregated history. This reason, along with a multitude of others, makes taking isiXhosa an absolute no-brainer, in my opinion.

For those less concerned about communication for the sake of communication, the practical reasons for taking isiXhosa are just as compelling. If you speak to anyone worth asking about education in South Africa, or just about living here (Blade Nzimande - Minister of Higher Education, Nelson Mandela or Trevor Manuel, to name a few), they’ll tell you that before you go and study Astrophysics or Neurology at UCT, learn some Zulu or Xhosa. It looks good on your CV; certain University courses, such as Medicine, require it; it gives one a base from which to learn other Nguni languages and it’s a massive advantage in the business world, where you’re constantly interacting with people from a huge variety of backgrounds. Building strong relationships with people in your environment will always be to your advantage, not only within a business context, but in a social context as well.

For most Westerfordian Xhosa students, learning an African language goes further than that. To us, it’s a way to show that we’re committed to reconciliation in our country by embracing another language, and in the case of isiXhosa, the very rich culture surrounding that language. It’s a gesture which aims to forge connections between us and people we wouldn’t usually interact with.

I was utterly convinced that I had made the right decision once I’d been on the Transkei hike. I witnessed my motivations for taking Xhosa becoming reality in front of my eyes. After the first fifty awkward “Molo! Unjani?”s, my conversations with people started gaining substance. As my conversation partners realised that I had knowledge beyond “Molo”, their entire demeanours changed. The standard response I encountered was: “Umlungu! Yuh, uyasazi isiXhosa?” (Whitey! Yoh, you know Xhosa?), followed by very enthusiastic small talk, drastically zekeleled (slowed down to umlungu-level), and the exchanging of details, ended off with extremely appreciative thanks for taking the time to find out more about them and to learn their language. 

Xolisanani is one of the people we met. He told Jeremy and me that we had made his day; that to find people who were learning his language by choice was an inspiration, and that he wished there were more people like us. To me, that is what learning isiXhosa is about. 

At Westerford, we’ve got some of the best isiXhosa teachers in the country. Let’s face it – Mnu. Dugmoreuyintshatsheli (is a champion). There is undoubtedly no better place to learn the language. So what’s your excuse? Why are there only 13 people in my grade that feel the same way I do? Why are there 11 in matric and 15 in Grade 10? Next year’s Grade 10s couldn’t even manage double figures. What is making most Westerfordians ignore the amazing opportunity afforded to us here to enrich ourselves as South Africans?

There isn’t enough emphasis on indigenous languages by our generation. We have this strange misconception that we will either all emigrate to the land of milk and honey or that there is simply no need to learn an African language, or even Afrikaans, because English is the lingua franca. We expect other people to learn our language, but don’t even consider doing the same for our future colleagues and clients who don’t speak English as a first language. That’s the majority of the country, by the way. 

Apart from being selfish, these convictions are pretty naïve. I’ve heard the argument that Xhosa isn’t a ‘universal’ language, and so it is therefore pretty much useless to learn as opposed to, say, French. To that, I say “your argument is invalid.” Realistically, you will most probably live and work here later in life, and should therefore concentrate on what you can do to make ‘here’ a better place to be. Well, unless you find your fairytale French bride or groom and run off to Paris, or if you’re one of those refugee-status-seeking ninnies who run to Perth escaping the ‘dystopia’ of South Africa. I sincerely hope you aren’t, though, because I don’t think we’d be able to be friends.

This is not to say that learning a European language is a bad thing, or that if you don’t study an African language, you’re a traitor to your country. What it is doing is making you aware of the importance of learning one, and how rewarding it can be, especially at Westerford. There needs to be a shift in mindset, and a greater sense of responsibility to the future of our country by us, the upcoming generation of voters and economy-drivers.

Simon says, “Go for it.” So do u"