Prof Wannie Carstens, an accomplished Afrikaans scholar at the North-West University (NWU), was recently honoured with the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (the South African Academy of Science and Arts) Jan H Marais Prize for his outstanding academic work in Afrikaans.
The prestigious prize ceremony took place at Webersburg farm in Stellenbosch.
During the event, Prof Carstens delivered a thought-provoking talk on the infrastructure of Afrikaans and proposed the continuation of Afrikaans as a scientific language. He envisages a Centre for the Study of Afrikaans to aid in this regard.
The presence of his children and their spouses added a personal touch to the memorable occasion.
"I missed out on a lot while I was busy with Afrikaans at various levels, even after my retirement. I have been involved in writing and co-editing five books since my formal retirement, and I was really glad that my family could be there," he said.
Expressing his gratitude, Prof Carstens added, "I am still amazed at being recognised by my peers. To be the first former permanent staff member from the NWU to receive this honour is a privilege. It's almost unimaginable to think that I am the first among so many people with expertise in Afrikaans in various disciplines at the university. I hope this helps to showcase the NWU as a university where excellence in Afrikaans is still valued."
What a journey
Since joining the NWU’s predecessor, the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education in 1991, Prof Carstens, has made significant contributions to Afrikaans linguistics by authoring and editing various books. After his retirement at the end of 2017, he continued on his academic journey, and is still involved at the NWU as an extraordinary professor.
His commitment to Afrikaans linguistics became evident when he started studying at Stellenbosch University, where he shifted his focus to Afrikaans as his primary area of study. His academic journey culminated in numerous accolades and milestones, including the completion of his DLitt degree and the publication of several impactful books that have significantly contributed to the field of Afrikaans linguistics.
Prof Carstens has played a pivotal role in academia by shaping the next generation of scholars and fostering excellence in the study of Afrikaans. His leadership and tenure have left an indelible mark on the academic landscape, inspiring countless scholars to pursue scholarly endeavours in Afrikaans.
"I have made significant contributions to Afrikaans linguistics as an author, co-author, editor, and co-editor of various books. I initiated and co-edited most of the books, recognising a need for more literature in the field. My own books have also filled significant gaps in certain subdisciplines, introducing new and breakthrough ideas. This was evident when I co-published an extensive book on an aspect of the history of Afrikaans," he shared.
Prof Carstens wants to be regarded as an academic entrepreneur who is always willing to investigate new ways of looking at language from an Afrikaans perspective. “As a first-year student in 1971, and now approximately 55 years later, it is extraordinary to see how my life has revolved around this language."
Prof Wannie Carstens and the Jan H Marais Award he received.
