A language spoken for more than 20,000 years by the San people of Southern Africa is on the verge of disappearing, but one determined elder is working to change that.
As highlighted in a recent Facebook post by Ignite Your Mind, 90-year-old Katrina Esau, affectionately known as “Ouma Katrina”, has dedicated her life to teaching N|uu, which is one of the oldest languages in the world and now considered critically endangered.
From her modest home in the Northern Cape, Katrina has taken on the role of teacher, sharing the language with local children in an effort to ensure that “a rich cultural legacy” survives. She has even published the first children’s book in N|uu, titled !Qhoi n|a Tjhoi, giving younger generations a way to connect with the traditions of their ancestors.
While the number of fluent speakers has dwindled to just a handful, her work serves as a reminder that the language lives on for future generations.
Katrina has not gone unnoticed for her efforts. She has been formally awarded for “her excellent contribution to the preservation of a language that is facing a threat of extinction.” Her determination, as the recognition states, has inspired younger generations to take up the challenge of learning and protecting N|uu.
A life of teaching and legacy
Described as a woman on a mission, Esau has committed herself to preserving not only the endangered language but also the broader cultural heritage of the San people. Based in Rosedale, just outside Upington, she runs a small school from the front of her house where she teaches children daily.
Her lessons are a blend of tradition and modernity, anchored in oral storytelling but also supported by her plans to create educational CDs and DVDs, making it possible for anyone, anywhere, to learn the language.
Her home is often described as ‘abuzz with activity,’ filled with children repeating the clicks and tones of N|uu while also being taught the customs and values that define San identity. This initiative began after the language was once believed to have died out, proving Esau’s indefatigable passion for identity and preservation.
Language activists worldwide point to the case of N|uu as an example of the urgent need for indigenous language preservation. While modernisation and shifting demographics threaten the survival of many smaller tongues, Katrina’s work demonstrates how individuals can act as cultural custodians, bridging the gap between ancient traditions and contemporary society.
While N|uu faces the threat of extinction, the work of Ouma Katrina Esau stands as a testament to resilience and hope. By teaching children, publishing resources, and developing tools for wider access, she is ensuring that one of humanity’s oldest voices is not silenced.
Her mission not only safeguards words but protects an entire cultural identity, anchoring the past while shaping the future.
Written by Lulama Klaasen
First published by Cape {Town} etc
Also see: Beáta Bena Green Breaks Silence After Four Miss SA Rejections
