Michal-Maré Linden
On 25 May 2026, the Gauteng Provincial Office of PanSALB celebrated Africa Day at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT). The event was held under the theme “Celebrating African Languages and Knowledge Systems: 60 Years of VUT Excellence” with a focus on “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”, which was the international focus for the year. The event also launched the VUT standardised trilingual Art Management glossary, verified and authenticated by the Sesotho sa Leboa and Sesotho National Language Bodies.
Dr Sally Maepa was a guest speaker on the programme, taking the opportunity to highlight the mandate of PanSALB and the importance of language in African identity, transformation, and progress. She congratulated VUT on their work to promote multilingualism and the use of indigenous languages at a tertiary education level. Other significant presenters on the day were His Excellency Rod Rembendambya, the High Commissioner of Gabon, and Mr Xolani Hadebe, the Chief Director of Water Services Planning and Information. The High Commissioner stressed the need for Africans to unite to ensure that social injustice is removed. Mr Hadebe highlighted the work Africa was doing to protect water availability as well as the natural abundance of the continent.
The event was organised by VUT’s African Languages Development Unit and Public Relations students. The programme celebrated Africa with performances by traditional dancers, praise poetry, music, and a fashion show.
