Iilwimi zethu, iingcambu zethu - Our languages, our roots
African languages have had a presence at Stellenbosch University for more than a century
- 1926: The study and teaching of African languages commence at Stellenbosch University.
- 1964: The Department of African Languages is founded.
- Up until 1980: The Department is housed in the Old Main Building.
- 1980: The Department moves to its current location, the Arts and Social Sciences Building.
Languages studied during the earlier years included isiZulu, Sesotho, Siswati and some Khoisan languages. In subsequent years, the focus shifted to isiXhosa, the African language which has official status in the Western Cape Province. The Department now teaches isiXhosa communicative skills, linguistics, communication practices and literature at undergraduate level and does research on a range of African languages.