Photo: From left: Mr K Mjone, Departmental Administrator, Mr L Nthoba, Part-time Lecturer Department of Communication Sciences, Mr L Nthoba, Part-time Lecturer Department of Communication Sciences, Mr L Nthoba, Part-time Lecturer Department of Communication Sciences, Dr A Mnguni, Lecturer Department of Communication Sciences, Ms V Tower-Gutter, Enthooz Magazine Media Liaison and Network Specialist,  Ms C Labuschagne, Coordinator WIL, Dr B Badenhorst, Departmental Manager Department of Communication Sciences, Dr N Mkumatela, Lecturer Department of Communication Sciences, Mr B Nhlapo, Assistant Department of Communication Sciences,  Ms O Seate,CUT Alumni and Manager in the office of the Mayor, Matjhabeng Local Municipality,  Dr M Molete, Lecturer Department of Communication Sciences, Mr B Mvundle, Assistant Direct: Language services ( DOJ&CD), Mr S Bastile, Assistant Office of the Dean Welkom Campus and Ms K Motaung, Faculty Officer Welkom campus and coordinator (seated in front).

Language Practitioners render specialised language and communications services over a broad spectrum of fields. Language not only reflects and expresses facts and observations, but also influences attitudes and behaviour and is a vital component of the cultural prerequisites underlying societal development. Language practitioners are the key role players in facilitating access to information and the main contributors to the development of a multilingual society.

On 24 April 2023, the Central University of Technology Welkom Campus, Faculty of Humanities and in particular, the Department of Communication Sciences held a career exploration for future language practitioners to give them a holistic picture of what they should expect when they complete their studies and get to the real world of work.

The career exploration allowed them to gain significant information about their career path and expose them to different careers within their chosen field in order for them to identify where they can fit as individuals and prepare them to hone their skills in their aspired paths.

Industry experts and academics jointly presented on the broader perspective of the profession, including the most popular fields such as translation, interpreting and editing.

Among the presenters were Mr Bonginkosi Mvundle, Assistant Director: Language Services, DoJ & CD, Mrs Valia Tower-Gutter, Media Liaison and Network Specialist, Enthooz Magazine, Ms Olga Seate, CUT Alumni and Manager in the office of the Mayor, Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Dr Mnguni, Senior Lecturer in the department, Mr Bongani Nhlapo Language Practice and Media Studies postgraduate student and departmental intern as well as Mrs Carla Labuschagne, WIL coordinator.

Dr Mnguni, Senior Lecturer in the department, shared the background and history of Language Practice profession from just joining the career without qualifications to being accredited and registered today. “Language Practice was open to anyone irrespective of training and that disadvantaged those who were qualified. There was no national policy directing the profession but today, the field has a legal structure (SALPC) to prevent interlopers. There were challenges such as terminology issues, standardization etc. and I was among the language activist who positioned the unit to contribute to the new South Africa.”

He said this is a new chapter in the lives of all language practitioners. “Work hard in silence and let your success be your voice. Channel your energies correctly and allow introspection,” he added. He further elaborated on the professionalism of the industry, legal and history. He said that one can plan their lives but end up doing something else. “I started this career three decades ago and fell in love with it. I was the third African to join the then National Terminology Services translating, and I am proud of how far we have come.”

Mr Bongani Mvundle, Assistant Director: Language Services in the Department of Justice, said he has been in the field as a court interpreter for 22 years and has never looked back. In his youth days, he aspired to be a farmer, but fate pointed elsewhere. He explained the difference between interpreting and translating, which means you have to be proficient in at least two working languages, one of which is your mother tongue.

Photo: CUT Welkom Campus future Language Practitioners learning more about their field.

When sharing his student years’ journey, Mr Bongani Nhlapo said that when he enrolled for the programme in 2019, he was not sure if he had made the right decision and in his confused state, it was not what he expected it to be but through the years of learning, he realized that it is actually broad and fun. “This career forces you to be open-minded, learn and understand more about ethnicities and cultural backgrounds of others. After falling in love and finding myself in this programme, I enrolled for the postgraduate qualification to further my studies because I felt a sense of belonging ,and I know for sure that this is where I want to be.” His advice to his peers is commitment, dedication and hard work.

Ms Olga Seate, CUT Alumni and former CUT FM presenter, said she is proud of the milestone and finding autonomy that was not there when she used to be a student. “I am proud of what the department is doing because previously, they used to get us into a bus to attend information sessions such as these but today, these sessions are done in-house. I am proud to be a CUT brand! She said she is passionate about languages and her passion started in high school when she was a debate and public speaking champion.  “Find your passion and purpose in your career and grow from that. Do not look for a dream job, find your mission, remember your purpose and forget a job title,” she said.