Sol Plaatje University (SPU) will once again host the International Language Conference that will take place from 27 to 29 August 2025 at the Heritage & Humanities Building on the Central Campus, under the theme “Intellectualisation of African Languages in the Digital Age.”
The conference was first hosted in Kimberley in 2023 and now returns to the Northern Cape, a province deeply rooted in history and heritage. Its return reflects both the richness of Kimberley’s linguistic traditions and SPU’s positioning as a hub for dialogue on language, culture and innovation.
The Office of the Premier of the Northern Cape is the main sponsor of this year’s conference, supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA), and the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR). Their partnership underscores the province’s collective commitment to advancing African languages as vibrant and relevant tools for scholarship and societal development. Furthermore, the Northern Cape Provincial Government regards this partnership as a strategic initiative to align the province’s priorities of fostering cultural development, academic excellence, and regional collaboration.
Across three days, scholars, researchers, students and practitioners will engage with topics ranging from language policy and education to translation, digitalisation and literature. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Ms Marissa Griesel (SADiLaR), Professor Thabo Ditsele (Tshwane University of Technology), and Professor Linda Loretta Kwatsha (University of Fort Hare), alongside a rich programme of papers and discussions that connect global and local voices. The programme will also include a book launch.
The International Language Conference reflects SPU’s strategic direction, advancing research, innovation and community engagement while promoting indigenous languages as engines of knowledge and cultural preservation. By convening international scholars in Kimberley alongside local voices, the conference strengthens SPU’s role as an anchor institution for the Northern Cape, while contributing to national and international priorities for multilingualism, inclusivity and digital transformation. It also affirms the University’s commitment to showcasing Africa’s intellectual and cultural wealth for the benefit of humanity.
Event Details
Dates: 27-29 August 2025
Venue: Heritage & Humanities Building, Central Campus, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley
Theme: Intellectualisation of African Languages in the Digital Age
#SPUIntLangConf2025 #NorthernCape #ModernGrowingSuccesfulProvince #MySPU
For SPU media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Mosima Mehlape, Manager: Communication and Marketing
Email: mosima.mehlape@spu.ac.za
Tel: +27 83 433 7445
For Office of the Premier media enquiries, please contact:
Mr Monwabisi Nkompela, Head of Provincial Government Communication
Email: mnkompela@ncpg.gov.za
Tel: +27 71 109 2776
