Abstract:
This paper highlighted the importance of language in education and its role in
development. It drew on data from the author's thesis to examine a South
African higher education institution that integrated an African language
alongside English for teaching and learning. Despite African languages’
potential to offer solutions to development challenges, they have often been
overlooked. Scholars such as Bamgbose (2014), Batibo (2005), and Bodomo
(1996) have advocated the empowerment of African languages in all domains,
arguing that language and development are closely linked. This paper argued
that development should not be measured solely in economic terms, but should
also encompass socio-cultural aspects. It adopted the African Renaissance as a
conceptual framework, emphasising the socio-cultural aspect of development in
which language plays a central role. Methodologically, the study employed
qualitative case analysis to explore the integration of African languages in higher
education. The paper concluded by recommending greater consideration of
African languages in all aspects of African life, including regional and continental organisations, as linguistic impediments hinder meaningful
development.
