http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1570 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:22:27 GMT 2026-04-13T12:22:27Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1609 Challenges of writing and publishing in indigenous languages and impact on rural development Bernard, Naledzani Rasila; Mudau, MJ “Indigenous languages are heritage in danger” These are the words of the chairperson of the South African Heritage Council, advocate Sonwabile Mancotywa addressing structures of Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) on 03rd August 2012 at the Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg. This is true as it is proven that even writing and publishing in Indigenous languages seem to be faced with many challenges. These challenges were orchestrated by the imposition of English and Afrikaans over the Indigenous Languages. This led to many decades of the undermining of the indigenous languages which saw very little material written in these languages. Indigenous languages even today are not seen as languages of economy. This therefore implies that speakers of these languages, more specially those in rural areas are deprived of socio-economic empowerment. Afrikaners fought the British around 1899-1902 pushing matters of the Taal-Stryd. Lord Alfred Miller, the High Commissioner of South Africa between 1897 and 1905 made sure that English is well placed above Afrikaans. The establishment of the Volktaal also looked at promoting Afrikaans language. At times, the indigenous languages were relegated only to the Bantustan (Homelands). Afrikaans was given a huge boost by state and was developed into a second language of the country. The dawn of democracy saw indigenous languages accorded the official status. However, it is still difficult for the emerging publishers to publish material in these languages unless the material is prescribed for schools. If publishers get it hard to publish, then writers also get no encouragement for writing. The language barrier impacts negatively on rural development due to limited or no exposure of rural communities to economic activities. This paper explains the necessary interventions to make sure the indigenous languages continue to be written and published, with recommendations directed to both government institutions and the private sector. The paper also indicates the negative impact on rural development caused by little or no material published in indigenous languages. Article Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1609 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1572 Documentation Strategies of Indigenous Health Knowledge of Selected Vhomaine in the Vhembe District Mjunicipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa Malindi, Ndivhuwo Edward The strategies that are currently used by Vhomaine to record their healing activities, practices and interactions with clients are still highly contested and not yet fully understood, documented and researched. The study therefore aimed to investigate the possibility of the development of a culture-congruent, indigenous practitioner-oriented documentation strategies of Indigenous Health Knowledge (IHK) of selected Vhomaine in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Qualitative research methodology was adopted. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation were used as data collection instruments. A non-probability, purposive sampling technique was preferred to select eleven Vhomaine of whom eight were 'Madzolokwe" or "Madzembelekete' translated as the greatest healers and four herbalists. Data was analyzed through the usage of thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that there is still a disconnection between Western forms of documentation which entails recording, filing and storage and the healing practices of Vhomaine which is done without recording and filing. Such documentations would most probably be possible to some categories of Vhomaine such as herbalists and unlikely to others such as duviners. This disconnect is proven by the throwing of incised bone tablets (thangu) that, with the assistance of the ancestors or the living-dead could make predictions about the client without referring to the stored files. There is still a strong belief amongst Vhomaine, the diviners, that they are content with the different traditional healing practices which they use to retrieve information from their clients such as calling on ancestors for guidance, using snuff (fola) and malombo dance. In this regard, documenting clients' records and processes may mean including the interpretation of thangu,which according to Vhomaine, may come with relational challenges with the ancestors. The study therefore proposed that there should be a general consensus between biomedical and traditional health practitioners for a collaborative project to determine ways in which Vhomaine can be trained to document their healing strategies in a way that would be congruent to their healing activities and interactions with their clients. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1572 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z