EDUCATION in their mother-tongue is essential for Xhosa children, said Russell Kaschula, professor of African Languages from Rhodes University in Kenton-on-Sea last week.

He was speaking at a fundraiser for Ikhamva leSizwe High School’s reading programme, JOT (Jesus our Teacher).
Both Kaschula and JOT have at heart the creation of a reading culture in English and/or isiXhosa.

Kaschula is a prolific English writer. His latest offering is the satire Mugabe Was Right: For All the Wrong Reasons. He has also written several isiXhosa novels - one of which is prescribed reading at schools.

There is a great demand for South African literature that meets the needs of educators for classroom material. Struggling isiXhosa teachers, in particular, need literature that will encourage children to read more.

There is such a need for education in mother-tongue isiXhosa that isi-Xhosa I, II and III (which are presently taught at Fort Hare) will be taught at Rhodes from 2009.

Computer programmes are being translated into isi-Xhosa and medical and pharmacy students will be required to learn isi-Xhosa from next year.

Kaschula said that ironically, apartheid had created a strong Xhosa culture in the Transkei, which could be expanded to include schools in the rest of the province.

If the children are taught in their mother tongue at school, they will benefit much more from their education.
Being taught in a second language means pupils fail to grasp many important concepts that are literally “lost in translation”.

Story by Louise Knowles
Talk of the Town, Friday 12 December 2008, Pg 15