Sanelisiwe Qayi. Image: SuppliedHard work pays off, and for Sanelisiwe Qayi, her recent award as the top student in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities was a recognition of that work ethic, passion for justice and her love for her mother tongue, IsiXhosa.
She recently graduated with a BA Honours in isiXhosa (Forensic Linguistics) and is currently pursuing her Master's in African Language Studies, specialising in Forensic Linguistics, while teaching isiXhosa and reading the news on one of Cape Town's community radio stations.
“It’s a recognition of academic excellence, but for me, it goes deeper than grades. It represents the sacrifices I made, the challenges I overcame, and the people who supported me along the way,” said Qayi, who graduated Magna Cum Laude.
“It reminds me that excellence is not just about intelligence, but about consistency, humility, and resilience. This achievement inspires me to continue striving for greatness and to use my knowledge to uplift others.”
Her research highlighted the critical issues of fairness and miscommunication in South African courts, particularly when English was the primary language of legal proceedings. It specifically examined the role of African languages. She said her passion was born from witnessing how language can either empower or silence people.
Growing up, she always dreamt of being a lawyer. However, she explained that she was lucky to have the opportunity to combine language and law through forensic linguistics.
“I saw how many South Africans struggle to fully express themselves in legal or formal settings because English dominates those spaces. As someone who values isiXhosa deeply, I felt called to challenge that imbalance. I believe that language is the heartbeat of identity. When people are allowed to speak their truth in their mother tongue, justice becomes more humane, more accessible, and more real,” said Qayi.
The ramifications of miscommunication were far-reaching, with the potential to skew testimony, sway verdicts, and tragically, result in unjust convictions, she said.
“Many non-English speakers rely on interpreters, but interpretation is never neutral. For instance, nuances, tone and emotion can be lost in translation and interpretation. This creates a silent inequality in our justice system. When people cannot fully understand or be understood, they are denied fair participation in their own legal process. My research aims to expose and address these linguistic gaps so that justice is not only spoken in English but truly understood in every official language,” said Qayi.
Earning a university degree as the first in her family instilled in her a deep sense of gratitude and purpose.
“It taught me resilience, that where you come from does not limit your destination. My background has made me sensitive to the voices that are often unheard, both in education and in law, and in society at large. It’s also strengthened my desire to give back, to be a bridge between academia and community, so that knowledge serves real people, not just institutions. I carry my family’s hopes with me in every achievement, and that keeps me focused on creating a meaningful impact,” Qayi said.
Her Masters studies aimed to enhance her comprehension of how language operated as evidence within legal frameworks, particularly in diverse linguistic nations such as South Africa. Her goal was to contribute to policy reform and training that promoted linguistic justice in our courts. She also hoped to establish frameworks for better interpreter training and awareness of linguistic bias in legal proceedings.
“I look forward to continuing to advocate for equal language usage in SA courts, recognition of indigenous languages and more especially Sign Language as an official language. Ultimately, I want my work in forensic linguistics to help build a justice system that listens better - one that truly hears every voice in every language.”
