Past projects
2021
Planetarium film
Sida Tsoatsoas
"Our Beginning"
"Moments from SIDA TSOATSOAS" features some behind the scenes shots from our latest VR film entitled "Sida Tsoatsoas" (Our Beginning).
A first in South African planetarium film making, combining animation and live action.
Set in the Kalahari and featuring a traditional story about the origin of the Sun. We are transported into a world of the early days, as told by ǂKhomani descendants.
Book a viewing of the full film at you local planetarium or contact African Tongue for further information: africantongue@gmail.com
Fantastic collaboration with ǂKhomani descendants of the Kalahari, South African Astronomical Observatory, Dr Daniel Cunnama, The Planetarium at Iziko South African Museum, Dr Sally Macfarlane, VR Capture, Telmo dos Reis, Gimbal Media, Betta and Siemon Steyn, Postage Agency, Carl Jones and Jared Keiser
2020
Animated films
Moon's Message
In collaboration with the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), African Tongue produced a short animated film called "Moon's Message". This film is based on a traditional story, as told for over 100 years by many different speakers of minority languages throughout southern Africa.
The film is freely available online in the following languages: Khoekhoegowab, isiXhosa, Afrikaans and English.
2022 will see the release of two more films, "Dancer the Fire-Maker" and "ǁX’oqesi the shooting star"
2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for minority language speakers in Southern Africa
African Tongue joined hands with contributors to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outreach program. This program is specifically for speakers of minority languages in Southern Africa. We assisted with the development of materials in the mother tongue in order to inform and protect vulnerable communities.
This project was supported by the Kalahari Peoples Fund and other generous patrons to produce posters, pamphlets, and short audio guides in the following languages: Ju|'hoansi, Khoekhoegowab, Khwe, Otjiherero, Himba, Naro and !Xun.
All content is avaiable for free online at the following link:
2019
Subtitles for the film "San Dance!"
A journey to the heart of Africa's original dance culture...
African Tongue teamed up with film maker Richard Wicksteed in his film San Dance to produce translations and subtitles in collaboration with mother tongue speakers. The languages featured in the film were: Khwe, Naro, Ju|'hoansi and Ts'ixa.
To view a trailer of San Dance, follow the link below:
2018
Language related content
!Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre
African Tongue assisted the !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre in developing language related content for their new Heritage Centre in Yzerfontein, South Africa.
2016
Bilingual educational posters
!Xun and Afrikaans & Khwe and Afrikaans
These posters were developed in collaboration with !Xun and Khwe speakers of Platfontein South Africa. Both languages are endangered and are spoken in South Africa, Namibia, Angola and Zambia.
In the South African context, bilingual posters were developed as Afrikaans is the language of instruction in the local school, !Xunkhwesa. All illustrations were done by community members.
For free printable versions please email African Tongue
2014 & 2015
Taal Tent
Kalahari Desert Festival
Featuring three languages: !Xun, Khwe and N|uu.
African Tongue ran language workshops and activities in the mother tongue for young and old to learn more about literacy and language heritage in South Africa.
Ouma Katriena Geelmeid Esau participated in the Taal Tent (Language Tent) and helped the younger generations with their pronunciation of N|uu. Hantie Guys and Ghumba Katchorro assisted with teaching !Xun and Khwe.
Our theme for 2014 was "animals" and 2015 "Who am I?"
