Although worldwide research shows students learn best in their own language, universities in South Africa still predominantly use English and Afrikaans as the medium of discourse. Professor Esther Ramani is aiming to change that.
In 2003 Ramani and colleague Michael Joseph founded a BA in contemporary English and multilingual studies at the University of Limpopo’s School of Languages and Communication Studies. It is the first dual-medium BA programme using an African language (in this case Northern Sotho) at any South African university. The statistics speak for themselves — in 2003, enrolment in individual courses in the programme stood at 38; by 2011 the number was 268. The Cems courses have the highest pass rate on campus (92%) and boasted 34 graduates this year — the majority of whom have gone on to employment, volunteering or post-graduate studies. It’s not surprising that other South African universities have expressed interest in starting similar programmes in their universities.
Ramani, from Chennai, India, is the former head of Wits University’s department of applied
English language studies and is concerned about the role of women in academics. Although many women teach, relatively few hold positions in senior management or publish as much as their male counterparts. Also, the high numbers of women entering universities is not commensurate with the numbers graduating every year. It’s part of the reason Ramani spearheads the University of Limpopo Women’s Academic Solidarity Association, giving support and organising retreats to encourage women in academics to write academic and research papers.
— Eamon Allan
