Pendoring Indigenous Language Imbizo & Tech Challenge
The Pendoring Indigenous Language Imbizo, launched in 2022, aimed to kick-off South Africa's participation in the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 – 2032). This multi-stakeholder initiative brings together government, academia, business, and the public to promote multilingualism and preserve indigenous languages. The 2024 Imbizo focused on leveraging AI and digital technology to support indigenous language speakers.
Launched in 2024, the Indigenous Language Tech Challenge invited participants to submit innovative projects that integrated technology with indigenous languages. The goal was to uplift indigenous languages through tech-based solutions, ensuring their relevance in the digital age. Pendoring aims to create a platform that nurtures the development of technological solutions to make these languages more accessible.
The brief
As managing agents for the Pendoring Awards, we conceptualised and managed the 2024 Pendoring Indigenous Language Imbizo and the Tech Challenge, aligning both with the broader global mission of preserving and promoting indigenous languages through technology. The primary challenge was to address the underrepresentation of indigenous languages in the digital landscape and, through the Imbizo and Tech Challenge, preserve, promote and uplift indigenous languages.
By hosting the Imbizo and the Tech Challenge, Pendoring aimed to showcase creative, technology-driven approaches to language preservation, foster multilingualism, and support the development of digital tools that uplift indigenous languages. The Tech Challenge sought to provide a platform for participants to develop language-learning tools, apps, and platforms to ensure the inclusion of indigenous languages in global digital communications, contributing to a more inclusive, multilingual digital landscape.
The transformation
Creating space for indigenous languages
By bringing together key stakeholders, we ensured a collaborative approach to tackling the challenges indigenous language speakers face, especially in digital spaces. We used our expertise in multilingualism, technology, and community engagement to create a platform for preserving indigenous languages.
Innovation for language preservation
We showcased the top finalists of the Indigenous Language Tech Challenge, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg, at the Imbizo. These innovators developed tech tools to preserve and promote our mother tongues, presenting their solutions through short pecha kucha-style presentations to highlight how technology can support language preservation.
Multistakeholder partnership
By bringing together linguists, creatives, policymakers, and indigenous language speakers, we created an inclusive space for finding solutions, and ensuring no language is left behind. This multistakeholder approach means more resources for solving sticky problems around indigenous languages and fostering multilingualism.
Fostering multilingualism
Tech Challenge
“We are extremely proud to be part of this new initiative. At the University of Johannesburg, we recognise the critical role that linguistic diversity plays in shaping a vibrant and inclusive society. The Indigenous Language Tech Challenge exemplifies our commitment to fostering innovation that preserves and promotes South Africa’s indigenous languages in the digital era.”
- Prof Rockie Sibanda, Director: Multilingual Language Services Office at the University of Johannesburg