Master’s Student Champions African Language Digitisation Through AI Research

As South Africa marks Youth Month, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) master’s student, Ms Lorna Norolela, is helping shape conversations around the future of African languages in the digital age through research that combines artificial intelligence (AI), education and indigenous knowledge systems.

Norolela recently participated in the ‘Building Language Technologies That Work: A Community Engagement Workshop for African Language Digitisation’ at the University of Pretoria, where researchers, educators, language practitioners and technology developers explored innovative approaches to strengthening African language technologies. Her participation reflects UKZN’s commitment to nurturing young researchers who are driving innovation with meaningful societal impact.

Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Media and Cultural Studies, Norolela’s research investigates ‘AI-Assisted Digital Storytelling in South African Digital Spaces: Examining the Gap in Child-Friendly Educational Content in isiXhosa and isiZulu’. Her work seeks to understand how AI can be used to preserve indigenous languages while creating culturally relevant educational resources for young learners.

“My research sits at the intersection of technology, culture, education and social justice,” she said. “I became interested in understanding why these technologies are not yet being fully utilised to support language preservation, early literacy and educational content in indigenous South African languages.”

Her participation in the workshop came at the recommendation of her supervisor, Dr Luthando Ngema, who recognised the close alignment between the event and Norolela’s research interests.

The workshop, she said, challenged conventional thinking about language technologies by highlighting the complexity of digitising African languages.

“African languages are not simply languages that need to be translated into digital systems. They are deeply connected to oral traditions, cultural practices, histories and diverse ways of knowing.”

She explained that many AI systems rely heavily on extensive written datasets, presenting a significant challenge for languages that have historically been preserved through oral traditions. Discussions also highlighted the importance of designing technologies that emerge from African contexts rather than adapting existing models developed elsewhere.

For Norolela, ensuring African languages are represented in digital spaces is essential to achieving equitable technological advancement.

“Language carries culture, identity, history and knowledge. If African languages are absent from digital systems, their speakers risk being excluded from the benefits of technological progress,” she said.

Her research explores how AI-assisted storytelling could contribute to language preservation, digital inclusion and early childhood education by expanding access to quality educational content in isiXhosa and isiZulu.

The journey to this point has been shaped by a growing interest in understanding the relationship between media and society. After completing her undergraduate studies in Journalism, Norolela joined UKZN for an Honours degree in Media and Cultural Studies, graduating cum laude after producing research on the influence of TikTok on digital nomadism and urban transformation in African cities.

Looking ahead, she hopes to complete a PhD and pursue a career in academia, producing research that bridges technology, media, culture, and social justice while mentoring future generations of scholars.

Reflecting on Youth Month, Norolela believes young researchers have a responsibility to ensure African languages remain visible and relevant in an increasingly digital world.

“Shaping inclusive digital futures means ensuring that technological development does not leave African languages, cultures and communities behind,” she said. “It means creating opportunities for education, innovation and social inclusion while ensuring our languages and knowledge systems continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga

Photograph: Supplied