College of Human Sciences
PanSALB recognition for African languages academic
Dr Samuel Makgai
Awards and reaching goals keep us going and boost our morale, driving us to aim even higher. For Dr Samuel Makgai, lecturer in the Department of African Languages, completing his PhD in Sesotho sa Leboa in October and winning a Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) award encouraged him to give his best and take thoughtful risks.
The PanSALB Literature Awards honour individuals and organisations which have been exceptional in delivering on the mandate of promoting, protecting and preserving all South African official languages, including Khoi, Nama and San, as well as South African sign language.
Makgai emerged was awarded second prize for his contribution in promoting Sesotho sa Leboa/Sepedi, amongst others, by having worked for 12 years as an educator and examiner for Sesotho sa Leboa in Gauteng, developing the literature examination papers. He also served as an advisor in the Gauteng Department of Education, training and developing Sesotho sa Leboa educators, to improve the quality of their teaching.
Dr Samuel Makgai
He reminisced: "When the opportunity arose, I just compiled those poems into a book and presented them for the competition, because they were already there. I think the other factor which earned me the second prize, was that it was surprising for the adjudicators that I have such a passion for Sesotho sa Leboa, even though I was born and bred in Tembisa, which is a township where many different African languages are spoken."
Speaking about his doctorate, Dr Makgai explained that he chose to further his studies in African languages because he realised that, if you are born in a township – like he was – it is easy to use other people’s languages and forget about your own. His research topic was "Exploring the use of imagery by Sesotho sa Leboa Grade 11 learners in essay writing: A study from Gauteng North District".
Makgai is the author of an anthology of poems entitled Moropa o a lla.
* By Tebogo Mahlaela, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Human Sciences
Publish date: 2022/10/25