African cultures, languages, and knowledge aren’t just being preserved — they’re being shared, digitised, and celebrated thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration between Mandela University and key players in the digital knowledge space.
Recently, the SWIP Project — a partnership between SADiLaR, Wikipedia, and PanSALB — took centre stage at a dynamic two-day workshop hosted at Nelson Mandela University, in collaboration with the Departments of Languages and Literature and Linguistics and Applied Linguistics within the Faculty of Humanities.
At the heart of it all? A shared mission to ensure that indigenous languages and cultural knowledge don’t fade into the background, but rather shine online — and in mother tongue.
Digitising Language, Culture & Identity
The workshop brought together Wikimedians from across the continent, uniting to explore how digital tools can help preserve and promote Africa’s rich cultural legacy. With a focus on building and editing Wikipedia articles in previously marginalised languages, the event served as a launchpad for digital preservation efforts.
One of the highlights was the “Wiki Loves Africa” competition, which encouraged participants to upload original media — from photos to videos and audio — that reflect Africa’s vibrant cultures. Beyond creativity, the contest doubled as a lesson in copyright law and licensing, reinforcing the need for accessibility and compliance in digital content.
From Brainstorming to Publishing: A Wikipedia Success Story
Day One saw participants brainstorming ideas for articles in their native languages, working alongside their own visuals uploaded to Wikimedia Commons. It was a powerful exercise in cultural reclamation and digital storytelling.
Day Two focused on building fully formed Wikipedia entries on topics like AmaXhosa culture, Idombolo, and Informal Settlements in Gqeberha — all created according to Wikipedia’s rigorous standards for sourcing, neutrality, and structure.
The result? A collection of high-quality, culturally rich articles now available to a global audience.
Digital Tools, Real-World Impact
Participants — from undergraduates to PhD candidates — showed that with the right tools and guidance, African languages, histories, and traditions can not only survive in the digital world but thrive. Discussions ranged from grassroots initiatives to educational applications of Wikimedia platforms, underlining the role of open knowledge in social empowerment.
“The digital space is not just a repository of information — it’s a platform where cultures can thrive, languages can be revitalised, and stories can be told on a global stage,” the organisers emphasised.
This workshop wasn’t just about editing Wikipedia — it was about reclaiming cultural agency and ensuring that the next generation finds their stories, languages, and identity alive and accessible in the digital realm.
Story source: www.mandela.ac.za
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