Development of African Languages as the Medium of Instruction in Higher Education: From Policy to Practice
Zama Mabel Mthombeni 
Issue: Vol.5 No.2 Article 3 pp.100-111
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2024523 | Published online 12th February, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This study, using the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) as a key case study, critically examined the integration of African languages, specifically isiZulu, in South Africa’s higher education system. Employing a qualitative approach, the research conducted semi-structured interviews with lecturers and students while analysing relevant policies through a comprehensive examination of secondary data. The theoretical framework is grounded in sociolinguistics that focuses on diglossia—a linguistic phenomenon where two languages serve distinct functions in multilingual communities. The article engaged with the legacy of apartheid and colonialism, considering racial power differences that position African languages as inferior. The findings highlight the transformative role UKZN has embarked on of intellectualising isiZulu, challenging persistent misconceptions about the capacity of African languages to contribute to knowledge within higher education. The recommendations stressed the need for innovative teaching approaches, and robust support services for students engaging with academic content in African languages. This paper contributes to reshaping the narrative around African languages, recognising their vital role in higher education.
Keywords: African Languages, Higher Education, Transformation, Language Policy, Diglossia
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Zama Mabel Mthombeni is the Chief Researcher in Equitable Education & Economies, Human Sciences Research Council, Durban, South Africa. She is also a PHD Candidate Development studies, School of Built Environmental Studies, University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Her core research focus is on higher education policy and governance; African Philosophy, Social Justice and Inclusive Education, and Transformative Education (Recolonization, Africanization). She is building her expertise in African, International and Comparative Higher Education and Scholarship.
Mthombeni, Zama Mabel. “The Development of African Languages as the Medium of Instruction in Higher Education: From Policy to Practice.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.2 (2024): 100-111. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2024523
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
