'Make Zulu compulsory at all varsities'

Most Zulu-speaking South Africans cannot speak their own language properly or accurately translate it into English.

According to the former speech writer for Zulu monarch King Goodwill Zwelithini, Professor Otty Nxumalo, Zulu should be compulsory at all universities.

"You find people have the same Zulu definition for the English terms 'aim' and 'purpose'. Most people would say the Zulu term is inhloso but aim is actually inhlosojike and purpose is inhloso mfezo," said Nxumalo.

He was speaking at a seminar at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The university's first-year students had to take a compulsory Zulu course - and pass - to graduate.

The move, a first for a South African university, sparked criticism among students and academics but was hailed by education bodies.

First-year sport science student Sinead van Niekerk, 19, who took aZulu module, told the seminar it was difficult but enjoyable.

"It was hard but I adjusted. I did Zulu for a year in primary and it made me want to learn more."