Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi recently unveiled plans to introduce Swahili and Mandarin as official subjects within public schools across the province. This initiative, announced during his address at Unisa's 25th International Mother Language Day event, aims to bolster the language skills of students, preparing them to navigate the increasingly interconnected global economy.
Lesufi emphasized the significance of equipping children with additional languages to help them remain competitive amid Africa's dynamic economic environment. “Swahili and Mandarin, we are going to announce in our state of the province address, will be subjects offered to our children in Gauteng so we participate in other economies,” he stated. This strategic move is seen as partly motivated by the rising prominence of China on the world stage, underlined by Lesufi's recognition of the need for South African students to engage with new economic players.
The notion of introducing Mandarin has been on the agenda since 2015 when former Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga confirmed its inclusion as a subject for pupils from grades 4 to 9. The objective was to provide students with the opportunity to study Chinese, supported by collaborative efforts with the Chinese government. The addition of Swahili complements these efforts, aligning with aspirations for African unity and promoting local cohesion through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Motshekga previously pointed out the potential of Swahili to aid South Africa's decolonization efforts within education. “The introduction of Kiswahili second additional language (SAL) will go a long way toward decolonising education in South Africa,” she said, highlighting its role in promoting shared cultural values.
Despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Basic Education has remained steadfast, initially planning to pilot the introduction of Swahili from 2021 to 2023 for grades 4 to 6. This delay has not diminished the commitment to expand language education, which now also prioritizes indigenous African languages such as isiZulu, isiXhosa, and Sesotho.
The Incremental Introduction to African Languages strategy, launched back in 2013, aims to strengthen the teaching of marginalized African languages across schools. Lesufi has underscored the importance of investing not only in academic language programs but also within the literary space, particularly urging support for young black writers. “If we don’t invest in our language, our languages will die. If we don’t invest in our writers, our language will die,” he expressed.
To support this linguistic initiative, Gauteng’s government has allocated R35 million to fund various language-based programs. Some of these funds are designated to assist aspiring black authors who write books, especially those composed in African languages, which will then be distributed to school libraries. This effort ensures broader access to literature reflecting the children's linguistic and cultural contexts.
Lesufi's remarks indicate the rich linguistic diversity present within South Africa, marked by over 11 official languages. He noted the prevalence of indigenous languages such as isiZulu (24%), isiXhosa (16%), Afrikaans (10%), and Sepedi (10%). He advocated for the recognition of all languages and their integral roles within South Africa's cultural and economic framework.
“We emphasise the economic value of languages and their role in promoting inclusive growth, employment, and innovation in South Africa,” Lesufi stated. He reiterated the need to address the legacy of colonialism and apartheid, which historically disadvantaged multiple languages—especially those overshadowed by English and Afrikaans.
The introduction of Swahili and Mandarin signifies more than just new subjects; it is part of broader educational reforms aimed at reflecting global realities, enhancing cultural coherence, and promoting socio-economic development within South Africa. By equipping students with multilingual skills, the Gauteng government seeks to enable them to thrive both locally and globally.