The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture will be hosting the International Mother Tongue Day celebration under the theme “The Book” which highlights the importance of reading books written in one’s language to develop and promote it.
Date: 22 February 2013
Venue: Sibusisiwe Hall, Mandeni
Celebrations this year are characterised by a week-long campaign (18 to 22 February) in which eight schools in the Ilembe District will through poetry and other art expression to promote creativity through their first languages. Participating schools are KwaDukuza Primary, Ethel Mthiyane Special school, Mandeni Primary, Mabuyane High, Kukhanyakwezwe High Mandeni Academy, Ubuhlebesundumbili Primary and Umhlali Preparatory school.
International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in November 1999 to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism and also to promote linguistic and cultural diversity as well as multilingualism.
