African languages to face the destiny of dinosaurs-Observes Prof. Ngugi wa Thion’go

A RENOWNED Kenyan novelist and a social activist Professor Ngugi wa Thion’go has cautioned African states to use their own languages in order to promote the continent’s social-cultural development. Ngugi who is known by a unique title in the world as a distinguished professor, threw the challenge in an interview during the 6th Pan-African Reading for all Conference which was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between 10th-14th August 2009. A 71 year old Professor who attended the conference as a main speaker said that, time has come for Africa to use its own languages as a means of production so as to promote what the lord God had given to African continent including its languages which according to him must be used and put in the forefront in every matters to honour African superiority. “You would be amazed to see that about five leading languages in the world is for Europeans, and these have dominated most intellectual properties in Africa” he said in an interview and added that this is because of the fact that, foreign intervention has absorbed the minds of most African idealism.


Mlimani primary school children leading a procession of Pan-African Reading Conference towards Nkrumah Hall a conference venue with attendants who trailed behind at the main campus of the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.




He also noted that, most African states within sub-Saharan region do not have a policy of their national languages an aspect that paves the way for colonial mentality going to the extreme of Africa’s traditional affairs and which ultimately distorts African culture. “Many African governments have colonial mentality an aspect which retards their economic development” he said adding that Africa should unite together in a bid to retain its respected moral culture from deteriorating among its citizens. However, he has praised Tanzania for its stance in promoting the use of Swahili language which is becoming an active player in most Pan-African meetings as well as in the global economy. “To promote local languages is a self empowerment of a nation whereas to know other languages is slavery” Professor Ngugi remarked and he further noted that, for him he would rather choose empowerment through reading local languages rather than foreign which he terms as slavery.