uLwimi Lwethu is a language institute focusing in developing and strengthening isiXhosa language and culture to the Amaxhosa youth in an urban setting. These are African children who are not conversant in the mother tongue. The Project’s primary focus is to make sure that the youth speaks the language, understands the importance of speaking the language as language and identity are intertwined. The youth will also be taught the norms and values of the Xhosa people.

The managing team of the Project is made of highly experience individuals whose life has been in the teaching, education and training field. Ulwimi Lwethu’s approach is teaching IsiXhosa through song, play and use of technology. Learning a language should be fun!

BACKGROUND

Concerned Xhosa parents who were born and raised in urban settings and those that had settled in urban areas because of better opportunities and employment felt the need to educate and expose their children into their culture and heritage. The children were exposed to the western way of living and because of their demanding jobs the parents had little to no time at all to teach the children the Xhosa culture. The birth of the organisation then emancipated from that gap. Another major concern was the fact that Gauteng is predominantly a Tswana,  Sesotho and Zulu speaking province so even at school and socially the Xhosa child is not exposed to the language.