News and Events > Newsletter > UMP INTRODUCES BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS IN SISWATI
Newsletter
01 October 2021

UMP INTRODUCES BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS IN SISWATI

The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Siswati provides a significant route for progression into further postgraduate studies (Master’s and Doctoral) at the University of Mpumalanga or other higher learning institutions. 

The programme might seem at first as if it has limited career opportunities, but in fact the qualification will bring a vast number of careers options. BA Honours in Siswati is a qualification that will remain relevant in years to come. By offering this programme, the university will effectively fulfil its vision of creating opportunities and providing sustainable development.

Siswati is one of the indigenous languages that is spoken and read in the Republic of South Africa, it is enshrined in the constitution of the country as one of the 11 official languages that cherishes and promotes the South African identity.

Graduates with an Honours degree in Siswati are able to work and contribute in many varied facets of the job market and in all areas of teaching and learning, community engagement and research. By offering this programme, the university will effectively fulfil its vision of creating opportunities and providing for sustainable development.

The employment opportunities are broadly considered: phonetician, phonologist, morphologist, semanticist, onomastician, orator, folklorist, interpreter, translator, broadcaster, novelist, dramatist, poet, editor, lexicographer, terminographer, researcher, assessor, etc. Thereby, in general providing employment opportunities in various sectors within the broad field of work, which require service delivery and communication with fellow human beings. 

Admission Requirements

Head of the school of Social Sciences, Professor Calvin Gwandure indicates that the number of candidate selection for enrolling in the programme is limited. In order for graduates to be eligible to study the programme, the school admission committee will assess eligibility of all applicants. The Applicants who exceed the minimum entrance requirements will be given an immediate offer.

The minimum admission requirements is a Bachelor of Arts or other first degree at exit level 7, with Siswati as a major subject and a 60% or above average for Siswati modules in the final year. Students who fail to meet the minimum requirement of 60% will be considered upon motivation to the Faculty Board and the Higher Degrees Committee of the university, and subsequent approval by all approved university structures.

The programme has a total of nine modules which are both compulsory and elective, with a NQF level of eight.

Four compulsory modules with 75 total credits:

  • Research Methodology
  • Research Report
  • Phonetics and Phonology
  • Morphology and Syntax
There are five elective modules and students may choose three of the following:
  • Traditional Literature
  • Semantics and Sociolinguistics
  • Language History, Planning and policy
  • Modern Literature
  • Translation, Interpretation and Lexicography
@ Story and picture by UMP Communications Division.