Xhosa

The topic of cognitive development is one that has been debated for many years and continues to be a topic of discussion in the present time. It has been proven that humans cannot develop optimally in isolation, we are said to be social beings designed to increase in our capabilities through interacting with our environment and the people present in in it (Vygotsky, 1978). Hence this essay aims to explain why Vygotsky’s theory is relevant in culture- rich South Africa. Lev Vygotsky’s Social…

over 438,000 imperial troops to fight in South Africa. The british proceeded to conquer the two Afrikaner territories and make South Africa a British federation. The British included some territories into their federation, including the Zulu and the Xhosas, and left some territories out. Control of the new country however was rewarded solely to the white people. The afrikaners’ will to establish their republic later lead to the formation of the Afrikaner National…

life in Thembuland. When he was not in school, he was working as a shepherd, plough boy, or a wagon guide. Although he missed his family and Qunu, he was “completely absorbed” in his new world. Mandela attended a school where he studied English, Xhosa (an official South African language), history, and geography. He was not very clever so had an aunt that would scrutinize (examine closely) his homework every night. This helped him improve…

The inspiring and courageous leader Nelson Mandela, originally called Rolihlahla Mandela, was born on July 18, 1918, in the small village of Mvezo, by the Mbashe River in Transkei, South Africa. In his tribe, the Thembu tribe, his father Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa was chief. That is until he died of lung cancer when Mandela was only 9 years old. As a favor for his father, Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, the acting regent of the Thembu people, adopted Mandela. He was forced to move to Mqhekezweni, the…

The Man That Changed South Africa If you died today, would you have left a positive impact on someone’s life? Or would you feel happy because you know you did something that changed the world? This is the question that many should ask themselves when trying to choose a career or find their purpose. Our everyday actions even the small compliment can bring so much happiness to another’s life. Also, when we fight for change and take a stand, it can drastically change the world around you.…

Identity is one of the most important concepts that humans have; it allows us to understand who we are, who we have been and who we will be. An individual’s sense of identity is based on their cultural identity as it links a person to their heritage which helps them identify with others who share the same traditions, practices and beliefs that they do. Once a person is robbed of their traditional beliefs, heritage and other aspects of their native culture- they begin to lose a sense of self and…

co-production, Takalani Sesame created Kami to raise awareness in South Africa about AIDS, it was quickly met with controversy in the United States. Takalani Sesame incorporates South Africa’s 11 national languages, which are Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi, Ndebele, Sesotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana and Venda. Although Takalani Sesame focuses on serious concepts such as AIDS and HIV, they also focus on concepts similar to American Sesame Street such as basic school readiness,…

The Republic of South Africa, according to its first democratic constitution, officially speaks 11 languages, of which there are two West-Germanic languages (Afrikaans and English), and nine Bantu languages (isiNdebele, Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, isiXhosa and isiZulu). Due to such diversity, South Africa represents a highly valuable source of information for studying the phenomenon of multilingualism. The essay will first focus on South Africa’s peculiar historical…

cultural studies seek to connect social and political movements outside academics, challenge what is known as being true and of course have a critical stance towards established disciplines. Women for example, in some cultures like Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu, women were not allowed to go to school , women were to stay at home and do all the house chores and go to farm whether young or adult. Men were the only ones allowed to go to school or work. All this was cause by culture. But feminism…

When a child is born he knows little about the world his born into. It’s possible for one childhood environment to shape many aspect of a person life and the choices this particular person makes. This ideology fit the life of Nelson Mandela and he could be used as perfect example. In regards to Mandela the parallel between his life, family and political choices can be linked back to his childhood. Considering the details of Nelson Mandela’s life I want to argue that his childhood environment…