Thesis in Xhosa a first for Fort Hare
East London high school teacher Nompumelelo Kapa was the toast of the 102-year-old University of Fort Hare (UFH) when she became the first academic there to write her doctoral thesis in her mother tongue, isiXhosa.
The Beaconhurst High Xhosa teacher was conferred with a doctorate in literature and philosophy at the spring graduation in Alice on Friday.
“I feel very proud that I am the first one to make history at Fort Hare to write in Xhosa,” she said.
“It is indeed a beautiful experience.
“I love my language so much.
“I become very frustrated when Xhosa people undermine their own language.
“We are talking about transforming and decolonising Africa, so Xhosa should be considered and we also want to produce more Xhosa writers, journalists, translators and others.
“Xhosa has become stifled with people finding it fashionable to write and speak in other languages, especially English, and in the process losing their identity and roots and endangering our heritage.”
Kapa, who now lives in East London, expressed shock that some Xhosa-speaking parents undermine the language.
“It shocks to hear a parent saying: ‘What will my child do with Xhosa in their studies and career?’
“This is as if Xhosa is a doomed language with no future.
“I urge South Africans to go back to their roots by respecting our language first so that we can lead the young generation to the bright future,” Kapa said.
Kapa is married to Xhosa Prince Jerry Sigcawu, of Nqadu in Willowvale.
University of Fort Hare African languages department head and Kapa’s supervisor, Professor Nomsa Satyo, said at the graduation: “This, indeed, is a milestone.
“It is the first of its kind.
“It gives us great pleasure therefore to welcome her as someone who put our university on the research map.
“For many decades, Africa has been the only place in the world where most children are taught in the language that is not their own.
“This thesis places Xhosa at the centre as far as education is concerned.”
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