This is the invitation at the heart of the Indigenous Language Imbizo 2026, taking place on Tuesday, 24 November at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre, University of Johannesburg, says the awards.

Titled, "Under Our Tree: Language, Memory and Power in the Age of Digital Transformation", the Imbizo draws inspiration from the image of justice under a tree, a symbol associated with South Africa's constitutional democracy and rooted in indigenous traditions of gathering, listening and collective decision-making, adds the awards.

The Imbizo forms part of iPendoring's 2026 '#SayMo' campaign, which aims to recognise that indigenous languages can do more than express the same ideas in different words. They can carry distinct ways of knowing, understanding and experiencing the world.

"From the architecture and ethos of South Africa's Constitutional Court to the shade of the tree, imbizo, kgotla and lekgotla, remind us that justice is not only about verdicts, but also about creating spaces for listening, participation and collective resolution," says Eben Keun, General Manager of iPendoring.

This distinction aims to lie at the heart of the Imbizo. It aims to raise questions about whose ideas, languages and knowledge systems shape public life, and how these are represented as South Africa navigates a rapidly changing technological landscape, says the awards.

As artificial intelligence and digital technologies increasingly shape how information is produced, shared and preserved, these questions take on new urgency, adds the awards.

The Imbizo will aim to bring together academics, linguists, technologists, artists, archivists and policymakers to explore how indigenous languages, knowledge systems and cultural memory can help shape a more inclusive digital future, rather than simply being absorbed into technologies developed elsewhere, says the awards.

The programme will explore these questions through a keynote address and three panel discussions.

The opening keynote, "Who Gets to Speak for the Nation? From the Constitutional Assembly to the Digital Public Square", will consider how indigenous languages, storytelling and digital platforms can strengthen democratic participation, says the awards.

The first panel, "Mother Tongues and the Machine: Language and Ownership in the Age of AI", will examine questions of ownership, representation, consent and who benefits when indigenous languages and knowledge become part of the digital economy, adds the awards.

"Shaping New Worlds in Our Own Words: How Indigenous Innovation is Transforming Creative Culture" will explore how indigenous knowledge systems, languages and visual cultures can inform contemporary creative practice and inspire new visions of African futures, says the awards.

The final discussion, "What Will Be Remembered? Translation, Archives and New Forms of Memory", will consider whose stories are preserved, what is gained or lost through translation and how communities and emerging technologies can safeguard and reimagine cultural memory for future generations, adds the awards.

According to iPendoring, speaker highlights include:

  • Dr Seani Rananga: Lecturer, University of Pretoria, and Fellow at Data Science for Social Impact Research.
  • Anriette Esterhuysen: Human-rights Activist and Senior Advisor on global and regional internet governance for Association for Progressive Communications (APC).
  • Dr Matefu Lefty Mabela: Senior Lecturer, Department of African Languages at the University of Johannesburg.
  • Pola Maneli: Director, Animator and Illustrator.
  • Collen Dlamini: Founder and Executive Director of Creative Cnergy.
  • Mahlatsi Mokgonyana: Theatre-Maker and Co-Founder of Theatre Duo & Co.
  • Sephue Tau Masemola: Chairperson of the National Heritage Council.
  • Prof. Liz Gunner: Visiting Research Professor, School of Languages at the University of Johannesburg.

Through these conversations, "Under Our Tree" aims to invite participants to recognise the generative power of centring indigenous languages and knowledge systems, not as relics of the past, but as a vital way of imagining and shaping our collective futures, says the awards.

Students, professionals, creatives, academics and community leaders are invited to join the conversation.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Event Details

  • What: Indigenous Language Imbizo 2026: Under Our Tree: Language, Memory and Power in the Age of Digital Transformation.
  • When: Tuesday, 24 November.
  • Where: Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre, Kingsway Campus, University of Johannesburg.
  • Time: 09:00 to 13:00.
  • Price: R50 per ticket (includes light refreshments).

For more information, visit www.pendoring.co.za. You can also follow the iPendoring Awards on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor