AFL 1501

LANGUAGE THROUGH AN AFRICAN LENS

SEMESTER 2
ASSIGNMENT 6 _2024
GROUP NO: 46T

NAME: LUQMAAN PAGE

STUDENT NO: 21693439
DUE DATE: 12 NOVEMBER 2024

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 Table of Contents
Page

Introduction……………………..................................................3
First portfolio activity
Task1……………………………............................................... 3
Task2………………………………………..................................3
Second portfolio activity
Task1…....................................................................................4
Task2........................................................................................6
Third portfolio activity
Task1…….................................................................................7
Fourth portfolio activity
Task1……………………………………………………………….8
Task2……………………………………………………………….9
Bibliography………………………………………………………..11
Honesty Declaration ................................................................12

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Introduction

My name is Luqmaan Page, and I grew up in a small town in the Western Cape, called
Oudtshoorn. I am a registered LLB, and I am currently in my first year. During the
completion of this portfolio, I will be telling you how the module, AFL1501, has
contributed towards the changes that has occurred in me. I will also be telling you
about all the knowledge that I’ve gained and what I have learned during this course.
Lastly, I will be showing you the roots of my family and how I fit into the picture.

Fist portfolio activity

Task 1

Task 2: first portfolio activity reflection

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My name is Luqmaan Page and I grew up in a small town situated in the Western
Cape, called Oudtshoorn. I am a Muslim young man, that takes his religion very
serious, due to the fact that I grew up in a religious household where religion was
engrained in my everyday life. I am a person that upholds moral values.
I was raised in an English household, mostly spoke English, and that is why it is the
language which is the closest to my heart. I can also speak Afrikaans and a bit of
Xhosa. I learned speaking Afrikaans when I was introduced to schooling for the first
time, and Xhosa when I made Xhosa friends. I mostly communicate in English, but it
depends on the situation, like when I am with my Xhosa friends then I speak Xhosa.
Language can be used to determine your identity, because the language we speak
says a lot about who we are. If a person speaks in a certain way, you are able to
establish his or her identity.
During the completion of the module AFL1501, I have truly discovered the real me. I
have learnt that knowing where you come from is of paramountcy when you want to
discover your identity. Being involved in AFL’s course work has introduced me to
different cultures that I did not even know exists. I’ve learnt that traditional values play
an important role in expressing yourself. Language should not be a barrier, because
we as South African citizens should embrace each other’s cultures, and by saying this
I mean that we should learn the basics of each other’s languages in order to
communicate with others and show interest in other people’s cultures and language.
Participating in AFL1501 has promoted the spirit of UBUNTU, meaning that I’m now
more aware of others and therefore take other people into consideration when doing
anything, due to the fact that I am because we are.
From the first time competing the first portfolio activity up until now, my perception with
regards to traditional as well as linguistic differences has changed. I am now able to
accept and acknowledge these differences, in order to better communicate with
others.

Second portfolio activity

Task 1: family tree

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FARTHER’S SIDE

MOTHER’S SIDE

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Task 2: Forms of address

Terms of address English translation

Meneer (Afrikaans) Mister

Umalume (isiZulu) uncle

Umkhulu (isiXhosa) grandfather

Kgaitsedi (Sotho) sister

Khotsi (Venda) father

The way that we address people reflects the cultural values that we possess. For
example, addressing someone as “meneer” would show that you actually respect that
person. Addressing your grandfather “umkhulu” would reveal the fact that you
acknowledge and cherish him. Due to the fact South Africa has a variety of cultures, it
would be clear that with this variety comes a difference in cultural values. The way we
communicate or address our peers would not be the same when we are address
elders. When addressing elders, we tend to show a sense of respect; this is largely
due to the fact that as we grew up, we taught in this manner. This reveals the cultural
values that were instilled in us.
In most African cultures, such as Xhosa, Zulu, and Sotho, elders are viewed as the
top of the pyramid. They are seen as the anchor of society and should be treated with
respect and dignity. Mothers and fathers also play an important role in the cultural
hierarchy, because it is them who instil us with cultural values and ensure that we our
culture does not lose its value.
I personally think that forms of address can reveal a person’s cultural identity; the
reason being that different cultural groups have specific forms of address that are
unique to that culture, and therefore this can lead to the identification of one’s culture.
The way we address people, especially within a cultural setting, often tends to show
their role and importance within the society. People of value and importance are often
addressed with more formal terms, whereas others are addressed by using more
informal forms of address.

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In conclusion, it can be said that forms of address point out the significance of respect
within the societal hierarchy.

Third portfolio activity

Task 1
1. When considering the role of women in my tradition, they are often seen as the
one’s who look after the home and children. Given my personal point of view,
then I would say that women can perform duties such as tracking, removing
snares, making arrests and protecting the wild life. The fact that section 9(3) of
the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa1, does not permit unfair
discrimination, gives that them the power to perform these rights.
I personally think that these women should be equipped with weapons, largely
due to the fact that poachers could also be patrolling the area, which could pose
a possible threat to them. These women are well trained, and taking this into
account I think that them performing these roles are suitable.
One would think that this is not a suitable duty for women to perform, but if no
one want to do it then who will. According to me, they have the courage to make
a change, so let them.
2. I think that the name is appropriate, because since they are protecting animals,
they used the name in order to show that there is some connection between
them and animals.
Secondly, a black mamba attacks when it feels threatened, this can be symbolic
to them, since they “attack” those who are putting their work into jeopardy.

3. Within my community there is no traditional healer, because it has been

substituted with medical healthcare. But a community, not far from me, still
makes use of traditional healers.
The traditional healers there mostly provide spiritual guidance and connect you
your ancestors. People also go to them for medical treatment, so the traditional

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Section 9 (3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996

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 healers provide them with a variety of herbs, in order for them to become
healed.
Some traditional healers also provide people with counselling in all sorts of
ways, they provide assistance for disputes between the members of society.
Traditional healers have played a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of
society, although they have now been substituted with medical doctors.

4. I do believe that the wildlife of Africa forms part of my identity. The reason being
is that, in Africa we have a variety of wildlife species which are indigenous to
our land, and which you don’t find anywhere else. These animals represent the
significance of our cultural heritage.
These animals are also sometimes used when performing cultural rituals which
intertwines with most of the African cultures. Without the wildlife and biodiversity
of Africa, the continent Africa would not be identified as Africa.
We as Africans have this unique relationship with the wildlife which brings up
this sense of responsibility towards it.

Fourth portfolio activity

Task 1: I am an African

1. “I owe my being to the Koi and the San whose desolate souls haunt the great
expanses of the beautiful Cape – they who fell victim to the most merciless
genocide our native land has ever seen, they who were the first to lose their
lives in the struggle of defend our freedom and dependence and they who, as
a people, perished in the result.” (T Mbeki, 1996. P1)

2. We as Africans should give recognition to those who have made us who we

are. The Koi and the San are the indigenous people of our land, and therefore
they are our forefathers. Given this text, it is clear to see that Mr Mbeki
recognises the Koi and the San, because it is they who have paved the way to
independence and freedom for our country.

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The reason why this resonates with me, is largely due to the fact that, as an
African, I too sometimes forget my roots, but it is something like this speech
that reminds me of who I really am. We as Africans sometimes forget those who
have fought and lost their lives and dignity, in order to achieve equality on all
grounds so that it is to the benefit of their people. We sometimes tend to
disregard the pain that they have went through for us to live in a world that we
live in.
This text captures the fact the indigenous people of Africa were marginalized
by the colonial period as well as apartheid, but they did not give up, instead
they resisted to this struggle. Yet today still, we tend to “ignore” or don’t value
their struggle, but in this text, Mr Mbeki gives the unspoken a voice, revealing
the importance of noticing this fact in order to heal and build our nation.
It resonates with me, because it reminds us that this issue was not only a
political one but also a struggle for the recognition of cultural diversity, yet we
take this up lightly. It shows us that identity played an important role in the lives
of these people that they we willing to sacrifice themselves in order to achieve
what they wanted to, and therefore we as the future generation should take a
sense of pride in who we are.
I personally think that this speech is a masterpiece, because it not online
reminds us of the struggles that Africa has faced, but also reminds us of who
we really are.
Task 2: Final reflection

During the completion of this module, I have learnt a number of things.

Language is the cornerstone of our identity, meaning that by the way we speak
people are able to figure out who we really are. Completing this module has
made me realise who I really am. It has caused me to do a thorough
introspecting in order to rediscover myself.
I’ve learned that maintaining positive relationships with others is of
paramountcy when you want to develop yourself. For example, having friends
that are always motivational can help you achieve whatever it is that you are
striving towards. This makes room for self-development and improvement. We
are a nation that needs each other, that’s why it is so important for us to
acknowledge and recognise in other, which allows us to live in harmony.
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This module has made me realise that language is not just a mode of
communication, but also a way of showing society who you are and what values
you hold and cherish. For example, they way in which we speak also reflect
who we are as people.
Before, I never view language in this sense, to me it was always just a means
of communication, but thanks to this module this has change. My whole
viewpoint with regard to language has changed. I’ve also learnt that we as
South Africans should embrace each other’s languages, in saying this I mean
that we should learn the different languages in order to understand and
communicate with each other in our mother tongues, this will give that sense of
acknowledgement that we so desire as a nation. The spirit of ubuntu should
empower us to live with each other in way that we are building the nation. In
order to achieve this, we should acknowledge each other in all aspects, so that
there is an understanding between us.
In conclusion, language, identity, interpersonal relationships, and Ubuntu play
a pivotal role in shaping the future of the country and creating that sense of
peace amongst each other.

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Bibliography

Legislation
• The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996

Internet sources
https://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/constitution/history/MEDIA/ANC.PDF,
accessed on 5 November 2024

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ACADEMIC DECLRARATION OF HONESTY

1. I know that plagiarism means taking and using the ideas, writings, works or inventions of
another as if they were one’s own. I know that plagiarism not only includes verbatim copying
but also the extensive use of another person’s ideas without proper acknowledgement (which
includes the proper use of quotation marks). I know that plagiarism covers the use of material
found in textual sources and from the Internet.

2. I acknowledge and understand that plagiarism is wrong.

3. I understand that my research proposal must be accurately referenced.

4. This research proposal is my own work. I acknowledge that copying someone else’s
research, or part of it, is wrong and that submitting identical work to others constitutes a form
of plagiarism.

5. I have not allowed, nor will I in the future allow anyone to copy my work with the
intention of passing it off as their own work.

6. I confirm that I have read and understood UNISA’s Policy for Copyright and Plagiarism

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