The Central University of Technology (CUT) has given Dr Khotso Nkhatho another feather in the cap.
The cultural icon was honoured, very fittingly, at the Dr Khotso Nkhatho Public Lecture, with the theme “The Role of Language in Promoting Cultural Identity”. This year’s was the fourth annual lecture.
Respected community leader Makhabane Koali, also an educationist, delivered the lecture, sharing powerful insights into the current and future state of indigenous languages. He emphasised that language goes beyond words, and that it is a mirror of our surroundings, values and lived experiences.
“Language is everything around us,” said Koali.
“From the environment we live in, to how we connect with others, our culture, our history, our food; it’s all carried in language. If we lose that, we lose our identity.”
Koali has urged the audience to consider how countries like South Korea have become global cultural forces by promoting their mother tongue across all sectors.
“Even with multiple dialects, they remain unified by language, and that’s where their strength lies. Their language carries their identity, and the world respects that,” he said.
Koali also highlighted the significance of learning in one’s home language, stating that it builds not only an understanding of concepts, but also the confidence that leads to better comprehension and deeper academic success.
“When taught in our own language, we don’t just pass; we thrive,” he said, encouraging the integration of indigenous languages into mainstream curricula.
Koali emphasised the power of media in shaping and sustaining language.
“The media should be a tool we use to keep our languages alive through radio, television, storytelling, and music. Let’s not only consume culture; let’s preserve and promote it.”
Koali has committed his life to teaching and nurturing young minds. As a former radio tutor, his commitment to holistic development extends beyond the classroom.
He is the chief of Ha Kopano, where he upholds traditional values while promoting development within his community. Through his multifaceted roles, he continues to inspire many.
The CUT’s celebration of Nkhatho was a tribute to an individual, as well as a call to action. As language policies undergo revision, his journey stands as proof that cultural identity can thrive when rooted in the richness of indigenous expression, which encompasses traditional practices, storytelling, language and art.
His legacy continues to inspire generations of storytellers, educators, and language activists to remain true to their roots. Nkhatho is a strong advocate for the Sotho language and storytelling. He is a respected educator, actor, director and Sotho novelist known for his outstanding performances and many roles in the 1980s Sotho drama Mopheme. CUT lecture focuses on education
His devotion to preserving Sotho via arts and media won him an Honorary Doctor of Communication and Language Practice qualification from the CUT.
