Sport Department Strengthens Indigenous Language Preservation

Port Nolloth

The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture continues to demonstrate its commitment to promoting indigenous languages and preserving the province’s rich cultural heritage through the distribution of Nama language books to libraries across the Namakwa District.

As part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to promote local content and preserve indigenous languages, Nama language books have been delivered to public libraries in Port Nolloth, Alexander Bay, Kuboes, Eksteenfontein, Lekkersing, Sanddrift and Riemvasmaak.

The initiative forms part of the Department’s broader mandate to promote multilingualism, develop indigenous languages and ensure that communities have access to culturally relevant reading material that reflects their heritage and identity.

The MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Mangaliso Matika, said the preservation of indigenous languages is central to safeguarding the history, traditions and identity of the people of the Northern Cape. “Language is more than a means of communication; it is the foundation of our culture and identity. By making Nama books available in our public libraries, we are creating opportunities for younger generations to learn, appreciate and preserve one of South
Africa’s oldest indigenous languages while ensuring that our communities have access to literature that reflects their own lived experiences.”

James Mapanka, Founder of the South African Nama Development Association (SANDEVA), welcomed the initiative and highlighted the importance of collaboration in promoting the Nama language. “Through our partnership with the Provincial Library Service and the Department’s Language Services Unit, we have established two Nama Book Clubs that will represent the Northern Cape at the Funda Mzanzi Reading Competition in George this September. One book club is based in Riemvasmaak and the other in the Richtersveld.

“We are also sincerely grateful to the Provincial Library Service for procuring Namabooks from Namibia. These resources will play a significant role in strengthening our reading programmes and ensuring that the Nama language continues to flourish among present and future generations.” The availability of Nama literature in public libraries is expected to encourage reading in indigenous languages, support lifelong learning and provide valuable educational
resources for learners, researchers and community members interested in the Nama language and culture.

The Department remains committed to supporting language development initiatives that contribute to social cohesion, nation building and the preservation of the diverse cultural heritage of the Northern Cape. Through partnerships with organisations such as SANDEVA, communities, authors and language practitioners, the Department will continue expanding access to indigenous language resources and promoting local content across the province.