Whilst observing as usual, I had a question.
“What is the least respected language on TV?"
In America, Spanish is the countries widely taught language and is considered a second language. So, I got to work, observing everything I could possible observe….
The answer….well it inspired this blog. Enjoy, debate, argue, enlighten, discuss and reflect. Remember to play nice...
Here goes…We have 11 official languages but it seems television caters for predominantly Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English than any other language group. I am not saying we do not have representation of other languages but when we compare those to the “top four” languages, is it fare that such representation is pretentious and somewhat done to full fill some quota rather than an actual commitment to make sure that such languages are represented?
This is not an attack on the Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans or English speaking people, but an observation on language discrimination currently prevalent on South African television and its productions. If you notice, some of these Zulu or Xhosa actors will take on Sotho or Tswana roles. We know casting is based on talent not language origin but why wouldn’t anyone take special notice of that fact, when the majority of actors on our screens are of Zulu and Xhosa origin as a result of their successful network of prosperity engraved in their origins which excludes the rest.
Notice the people who are selected as winners or contestants on game shows, reality shows etc. The runners ups and winners will normally be Zulu, or Xhosa on free to air and almost exclusively Afrikaans on pay-tv. Then you are left wondering…. why is this happening? Yet we forget that Zulu and Xhosa people practically rule SABC1 and the SABC as a whole, together with their newly adopted counter parts the Swati and Ndebele. Just look at the management surnames, origins and board members. It’s quite interesting.
Almost every drama that is being introduced has a 60% Zulu/Xhosa cast with same level language incorporation in its dialogue. I have to acknowledge that Pedi, Sotho and Tswana are making inroads but I always wonder “to where” since the broadcasters prefer Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English.
Let’s take Muvhango as an example…. Thandaza was never a leading cast member. In fact any other race was never originally portrayed as leads. The show revolved around the Sotho and Venda family feud with a strong focus on Venda’s, but because the creator is Zulu we had to have a permanent Zulu lead and other guest roles all championing the Zulu kingdom. To a point where the show became more about the Zulus than the Vendas… now they are trying to turn it around but never without a strong dose of Zuluness.
Moletsane at Isidingo is supposed to be Tswana or Sotho speaking but due the actor's strong zulu identity they have accomodated his language by changing the characters history. We end up with the late Letti Matabane speaking zulu in a show we thought was a breather from the Zulu influence.
It was quite interesting and an eye opening experience for me to find out from the discussions I had that “just because people are black it does not mean they are all the same”. Within the blackness there are great divides and in observing these channels and their presentation including the people they hire. I realized it to be true. Most white people think all black people speak Zulu… with those ”SAWUBONA” type greetings. Are you kidding me!
Every national campaign by government is always tagged with a Zulu or Xhosa pay-off line. I was shocked to find out that the 2010 world cup is tagged with a Sotho or Tswana pay-off line.
The Shakespeare in Mzanzi series offered perhaps the best display of talent beyond the big four, when the show was anchored by a cast of Pedi speaking actors, who delivered beyond anyone’s imagination. It was an excellent potrayal of the queen of rain story with a twist….LOVED IT! But the Transkei and Natal crew was not HAVING IT! Squash the suckers down! If you ask most Zulu or Xhosa people about North West, Limpopo and Free State they will tell you nothing happens in those places… Yeah Right!
When it comes to MNET and DSTV, any person who would expect them to run anything beyond English and Afrikaans would be very much out of their minds. We know very well that black languages are not cared for on Mnet and Dstv… period. There is no way in hell it will ever happen! Why? You are not their target market… just because you pay to watch Mnet and Dstv. It does not give you the right to demand anything. Shut up and pay! Besides…. when black people pay for Dstv they mainly want the luxury of an alternative since they will continue to watch the SABC channels and ETV on Dstv.
Did you know that Kyknet is probably the first 100% original local channel dedicated to a single language group in South Africa? It even had its own Idols in Afrikaans.
Afrikaans is a language of approximately 60% white and 90% mixed race "coloured" people.
On SABC you get a lot of Xhosa and Zulu people getting any and all, available opportunities from business to entertainment and being on television. Let me give you an example… Gospel Time is produced by a Zulu owned production company, the presenter is from Mpumalanga (part of the Nguni movement), almost 90% of talent that appears on the show is Zulu and the artists with the most recurring appearances are 100% Zulu despite their popularity. If you don't believe, keep a diary of this season.
It amazes me that SABC keeps saying SABC1 is for the Nguni but black people watch the channel because it has the best household penetration. Some cities can’t even pick up SABC3 and ETV whilst SABC2 is dodgy at times. So by reception, SABC1 is the only national channel with the most household penetration from accessibility. That would then mean even nonNguni nations are affected by the language issue.
In the days of segregation, channels like TV1 and TV2 - I think, used to run programs by the likes of Scott films which premiered high quality and well crafted programs which covered every black language in equal representation. Black people enjoyed watching shows featuring the different races. Today… if you are Sotho you need to speak Zulu or Xhosa to get in the door. Alternatively dye your self white and speak English or Afrikaans maybe SABC2, KykNet, MK and Mnet may give you shot.
As for ETV, one would think its neutral territory, but the Zulu and Xhosa influence is starting to take hold. Although currently it seems better than SABC, I have a strong suspicion that it will get worse in the coming years. I particularly like Sello Maake’s character on Scandal because he can speak almost any language with such passion and accuracy, that makes him what I call a poster-boy for a true South African actor. The same could be said about the newly adopted craze of sangomas on our screens. A week does not go by without sangoma this and sangoma that. Most of those sangomas are of Zulu or Xhosa origin and language group. This also includes Zulu and Xhosa cultures and customs which are now being promoted heavily on almost every show.
May the Power of God In Holy Heaven descend upon the land in which we live to purify our hearts and minds for greater clarity and celestial intelligence.
The sad thing is that people who are in the industry will form clusters of their own culture and language groups just to survive. They will bend together and exchange favors just to get ahead. I remember Isidingo used to be the most clustered of soaps, blacks one side and whites one side. Talk about the need for change! I hope they have come around!
If you think I am inaccurate in any way… invest your energy in a single day watching only SABC1-2-3 and ETV and assess how many Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans individuals are on air; the amount of screen time given to them; production companies owned directly or in part by them; the programs they appear in; the amount of dialogue that uses their language; and music from artists of that origin featured on television. Compare that with other languages… you will be surprised! It’s very subtle but effective… it’s like there is a cult which is trying to render the other languages extinct.
Even characters such Karabo and Kenneth Mashaba are found speaking Zulu whilst the Zulu characters will never utter a line of Sotho, Tswana or Pedi. Take the character “Ntombi”, the actor playing the role can speak perfect Tswana or Sotho and used to act in one Tswana/Sotho drama, but have you ever heard her talk to Karabo in Tswana? I find it very funny when friends debate how Zulu and Xhosa speaking people always expected everyone to know their language whilst they never even attempt to speak other peoples languages. Unless they want to get some! Delusions of grandeur anyone!
Like I said in the beginning, “this is not an attack on Zulu, Xhosa or Afrikaans people” but an observation of a troubling discriminatory effect of language on the television broadcast landscape!
As a budding linguist (on my off days), I find the Zulu language very expressive like Afrikaans. They have certain words which capture emotion and intent better than any other. It's like french.... I also think that SHAKA, was the greatest production ever to be based on a part of South African history. It’s a pity we don’t have anything about King Moshoeshoe and many other tribes with amazing tales currently untold that hold amazing spectrum's of hero’s from our very own land.
When are we going to see dramas starring the Tsonga, Tswana, Pedi and Sotho only cast and storylines? When are we to see additional soap operas about the Tsonga, Pedi and Sotho or Tswana? I guess NEVER!
Which language do you think is less respected on television?
What can be done to fix it? If possible, If not.... why?
By The ObserverRelated Link
The Observer: Reponds to Language on TV
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