South Africa’s culture is so diverse and rich in its artistic expressions that there can be no better reason than to dedicate a special day, or even the entire month of September, to celebrating cultural heritage. The rhythms and music of Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Johnny Clegg, Brenda Fassie and Ladysmith Black Mambazo are played around the world, including in Kyiv, Odesa, and Lviv in Ukraine—places that are close to my heart.
It always fascinates Ukrainians that South Africa has 12 official languages. In contrast, South Africans are sometimes surprised to learn that Ukraine has only one official language: Ukrainian.
While over 20 Slavic languages are spoken, Ukrainian ranks among the top three in terms of the number of speakers. The earliest records of the Ukrainian language date back to the 11th-12th century documented in Kyivan Rus chronicles. It uses a Cyrillic script with 33 letters, including unique sounds not found in other Slavic languages. Read more about the Ukrainian language.
Unfortunately, the Ukrainian language, as part of Ukrainian identity, was subject to restrictions for more than 300 years. During the Russian Empire, books printed in Ukrainian were prohibited, followed by restrictions on theatrical performances and even sheets of music or folk songs.
Later, during the Soviet Union, Russian was promoted as the language for “proper Soviet citizens,” and teachers who taught in Russian earned higher salaries. You can read more about it here or here.
The powerful voices of Ukrainian poets and artists were seen by the Soviet government as a boost to the Ukrainian independence movement, leading to waves of mass repression and killings in the 1930s and 1960s.
The Ukrainian language survived centuries of imperial pressure, revolutions and wars. It faced so many challenges that it was once considered fit only for “village or peasant language” and was often mocked as not being suitable for “civilised” people in big cities.
For decades, we didn’t question why it was like that. Why do I, a Ukrainian citizen, a representative of a thousand-year-old history and culture, not speak my language in public? Why is it seen as “less than” — used at home but not in public?
Language of resistance
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, Ukrainians in occupied areas have faced restrictions on the use of their language once again.
In the judgment of the International Court of Justice on 31 January 2024, in the case concerning the eradication of racial discrimination (initiated by Ukraine’s complaint against Russia in 2017), it was recognised that Russia had violated its obligations under Articles 2(1) and 5 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by restricting access to school education in the Ukrainian language.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child reached a similar conclusion in its observations.
Like centuries ago, in 2024, Ukrainians are being tortured and killed for speaking Ukrainian. This is well documented. Russian propaganda openly shares interviews where Russians state that they have killed Ukrainians for speaking their language. Ignoring such mass violations is equivalent to standing with terrorists.
During the Russian war against Ukraine, the significance of our language has been rediscovered in unexpected ways. For many young Ukrainians still living at the occupied areas, the Ukrainian language is not only a form of cultural preservation, but also a powerful act of resistance.
During the Russian occupation of Kherson and Crimea, youngsters have painted the letter “Ї” in public spaces as a symbol of national resistance. This letter, unique to the Ukrainian alphabet among Slavic languages, has become a defiant symbol.
Our language serves as a unifying force – a reminder of our unity, shared history and aspirations. The determination to speak, write and promote Ukrainian is a profound act of defiance against efforts to diminish our identity. It embodies the spirit of our nation and the statement that we refuse to be silenced.
Hearing the Ukrainian language is also a sign of liberation for every prisoner of war (POW) returning home. During captivity, POWs are forbidden from speaking Ukrainian, and when they finally hear their native language, men and women often burst into tears.
As a nation, we eagerly await each POW exchange, sharing in the joy and tears of families as they welcome their loved ones back with the first words of “Hello! Welcome home!” in Ukrainian. Ukrainian POWs face torture, starvation and prohibitions against speaking their language, all aimed at undermining their cultural identity and adding to the psychological toll of imprisonment.
The simple act of speaking one’s native language is a fundamental human right that cannot be overestimated.
Fostering a collective understanding
This year, as I join South Africans in celebrating Heritage Day, my heart – like the hearts of millions of Ukrainians scattered around the world by war – aches. We feel the pain of over 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been forcefully abducted and have not heard their mother tongue for almost three years.
We think of Ukrainian POWs who are tortured daily, to whom international humanitarian organisations have no access, and of children who have stopped speaking due to the trauma of stress and bombings.
The international community plays a crucial role in advocating for cultural protection during times of war. International action must go beyond statements. As of September 2024, Unesco has verified that 438 cultural sites, including religious sites, historic buildings, museums, monuments, and libraries, have been damaged.
Despite the media’s decreasing attention to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the reality for Ukrainians has not changed since February 2024. In September, Ukrainians did not experience a SINGLE day or night of peace. Night-time Shahed drone attacks reached more than 1,000 – twice as many as in any other month since the full-scale invasion. More than 1,000 drones in one month, every single night.
Russia is not scaling back; although some leaders like to say it is searching for peace, Russia is ramping up its military operations and continues to torture Ukrainian civilians for expressing their identity in the occupied territories.
Today, as I write this on a Saturday morning, Russia has once again bombed a hospital. This morning, we already have 10 dead and dozens severely injured. This is the same story every single day.
Some might think that all Ukraine needs to do is allow Russia to take over, and the deaths will stop. However, Ukrainian history suggests the opposite.
After World War 1, when Russia occupied Ukrainian territories, the deaths were in the millions, not thousands. People in the occupied territories have no access to human rights and cannot defend themselves. Thus, compromising on “the territories” would mean allowing Russia to kill all Ukrainians who dare to speak their language or express their identity.
For those far from the front lines, it is crucial to remember that behind the headlines are real lives – families, children, and communities enduring constant fear and hardship. The resilience of the Ukrainian people is remarkable, but they continue to need global solidarity and support.
Read more: War in Ukraine
So, this Heritage Day, we are not only talking about saving and preserving our culture and language, we are literally asking people to stand against our genocide.
Acknowledging that Russia is a terrorist state, and acknowledging our reality, even from a distance, is essential in fostering a collective understanding of the enduring consequences of conflict. Awareness and empathy can help keep the conversation alive and remind us that while attention may fade, the fight for peace and justice in Ukraine continues unabated.
This year, to share the pain and joy of Ukrainian culture with our South African partners, the Ukrainian Embassy and the Ukrainian Association of South Africa NPO have created cups for our South African friends, featuring their names and surnames written in Ukrainian. We hope this small gesture brings them joy, as South Africans have had the freedom to speak their own languages for 30 years. We also hope these cups will serve as a reminder of the daily struggle Ukrainians face to speak theirs.
As this article was going to print, Doja Cat, at the Global Citizen Festival, raised the plea for Ukrainian children while wearing a dress adorned with the South African flag, created by Ukrainian designer Ivan Frolow.
We are truly grateful to everyone who continues to speak about the children in Ukraine and what they are going through. I like to believe that the Ukrainian designer who made Doja Cat’s dress featuring the South African flag was sending heartfelt wishes for Heritage Month to all South Africans. DM