Professor Chris Thurman’s Percy Baneshik Memorial Lecture sparked new thinking on language, learning and the future of English in South Africa.
Johannesburg, South Africa (22 April 2026) – A fresh and thought-provoking conversation about the future of English studies unfolded at the University of the Witwatersrand, as Professor Chris Thurman took the stage for the 2026 Percy Baneshik Memorial Lecture.
Hosted by the English Academy of Southern Africa in partnership with the Wits School of Education, the annual lecture continues to create space for meaningful dialogue.
With a lecture titled Back to the Future: ‘English’ relearning its ABCs. Why teach and study English?, Thurman invited the audience to revisit a question many take for granted: why English still matters, especially in a multilingual country like South Africa.
Instead of offering a single answer, he opened up the conversation highlighting how English is not one fixed language, but a collection of “Englishes” shaped by different cultures, histories and lived experiences. It was a reminder of how language continues to evolve, adapt and reflect the society around it.
The lecture also touched on the role English plays in both creating opportunities and, at times, reinforcing barriers. By bringing these realities into the discussion, Thurman encouraged a more balanced and honest look at the subject.
A standout moment came when he turned to the growing influence of artificial intelligence, framing it not as a threat, but as a chance to rethink the purpose of English studies.
“By crisis, I don’t mean gloom or doom. I mean a spur towards reflection as a necessary reckoning, forcing us to ask once again what we do as English teachers and scholars.”
The lecture closed on a creative note, with examples of how classic works like Shakespeare are being reinterpreted in South Africa, including isiZulu adaptations that bring new life and local relevance to global texts.
Moments like these showcased how language can bridge worlds, spark imagination and create new ways of understanding.
Sources: University of the Witwatersrand
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