By: Mondli Ngubane

The Durban University of Technology Library Book Club in partnership with the Writing Centre launched a book at the Botanic Gardens hall on Thursday.

The thrilling book titled Language, Society and Communication was officially launched by Dr Gift Mheta and Professor Graeme Stewart.

The book aims to introduce students to linguistic concepts and theories and link these existing issues in society.

It anticipates how language is complexly bound up with issues of power, prominence and power.

The book was written by Dr Zanni Bock from the Linguistic Department at the University of Western Cape and DUT’s  Coordinator of the Writing Centre Dr Mheta.

The introduction of the book is part of the initiative that the reading club and the writing centre are currently embarking on to ensure that the reading environment created for students is utilised.

During his brief talk about his book, Mheta explained how hard work and research made the book a success.

“I wrote this book because I saw the need of a book that has relevancy to the African context, a book that is relevant to our student,” said Dr Mheta.

It took Mheta and his co-author Bock four years to compile the book. They both agreed that all their hard work and support from various sorces including family paid off.

“I’m really grateful to my family who have been very supporting and understanding, and my wife does the same so she understands,” said Mheta.

One of the elements that make the book extraordinary is that its not only written in the English language, but also in African languages that include IsiZulu, Sishona, Swahili, and many others.

The book is currently being used in the first, second and third year modules for the undergraduate programme and has recently won the Arts Teaching and Learning Team  Teaching Award.