Inspired by her community
“If you want to achieve you will find a way, if you don’t you will find an excuse.”
These were the words of Pertunia Msimango, who bagged second place in Unisa’s Language Festival Roadshow essay competition.
READ:
Name and fame our matriculants
Msimango, who attends Lekamoso Secondary School in Daveyton, wrote about multilingualism as a resource in South Africa.
“I was inspired by my community because they value freedom and the religions of people who follow other religions,” the 19-year-old said.
“I was raised by parents who came from different religions, but my mother left when I was still in primary school so I had to raise my brother and sister.
“I was still young so all I could speak was Zulu and Tsonga and I knew nothing about my culture.
“I had to be strong and grow fast, but people in my community taught me about respect, love and sharing in rituals.”
Today, Msimango can speak many languages.
“Multilingualism is a resource, because during the apartheid era most of our brothers and sisters including our parents were forced to learn Afrikaans,” she said.
“But today we have the freedom to communicate using our mother tongue or any language that we prefer.”
For Msimango, a different language is a different vision in life.
“We can promote non-discrimination across communities of colours, languages and religions to raise the dignity of previously disadvantaged languages,” she said.
The monetary prize Msimango won will be spent on her family.
“My brother had to go to school wearing tackies, and my sister has one shirt, so I will use this money to buy school uniforms and schoolbags so that they can look like other children.”
The rest of the money will be saved for school stationery.
“I want to publish a novel and become a chemical engineer,” she said.
“I want to help most of the children who don’t have parents to take care of them to achieve their dreams.”
Also read: Willowmoore learners bag robotics award
Follow us on these platforms:
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za
