Room 3.54, 6 Neville Alexander Building, Lover's Walk

Convener 

New Generation of Academic Professionals (NGAP) in Multilingual and Multiliteracies Education

Bio

As a Senior Lecturer in Applied Language and Literacy Studies, Xolisa’s areas of interest include emergent biliteracy, literacy as a social practice, decolonising literacies, language ideologies, third spaces and critical literacy. She has developed expertise in teaching, research, social responsiveness and leadership in the area of multilingual education, multilingual literacies and multiliteracies. Her teaching includes creative and innovative multilingual and multimodal pedagogies for teaching literacy and builds on the foundations of African oral literature. Her research focuses on biliteracy development and on languaging-for-learning, describing and analysing how language can be drawn on as a resource to facilitate meaning making in literacy and across the curriculum. Xolisa’s social responsiveness work includes advocating for justice in the way language is used in education through the bua-lit language and literacy collective which she chairs. She has played a leadership role in the field of literacy and bi/multilingual education for example, as Chair of the conference organising committee for LITASA 2024; as co- guest editor of the Reading and Writing Journal special issue on translanguaging for learning and in her numerous contributions to the national policy dialogue conferences to support implementation of Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education (MTBBE). The research she does contributes to her teaching and the language and literacy activism she does on multilingual education. The children's literature  she produces is a practical contribution to the development of African languages and the promotion of the culture of reading and adds to her collection of creative outputs.

Websites: www.bua-lit.org.za

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8348-6664

Academic Publications

Peer reviewed journal articles

• Guzula, X. & Molate, B., 2025, ‘Community literacy club and family language policymaking initiatives for biliteracy development’, Reading & Writing 16(1), a569. https://doi.org/10.4102/ rw.v16i1.569
• Guzula, X. & Abdulatief, S., 2024, ‘Supporting teacher dispositions towards translanguaging-for-learning in a Grade 9 mathematics classroom’, Reading & Writing 15(1), a503. https://doi. org/10.4102/rw.v15i1.503
• Abdulatief, S. & Guzula, X., 2024, ‘Crossing the frontier from oral to written translanguaging for epistemic access in natural science’, Reading & Writing 15(1), a507. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/rw.v15i1.507
• Guzula, X. (2019). Moving beyond artificial linguistic binaries in the education of African Language speaking children: A case for simultaneous biliteracy development, in Special Issue of Perspectives in Education. Vol 36 (2). Pp 1-14
• Guzula, X., McKinney, C & Tyler, R. (2016). Languaging for learning: Legitimising translanguaging and enabling multimodal practices in third spaces. Southern African Linguistics and Applied language studies. Vol. 34 (3) 211-226
   

Peer reviewed book chapters

• Guzula, X., & Tyler, R. (2025). Disrupting Anglonormativity in Southern schooling: A Decolonial Lens on Languaging in Textbooks. In S. Bagga- Gupta. The Palgrave Handbook of Decolonizing Educational and Language Sciences. PaDELS
• Guzula, X. (2022). Children's Use of Their Full Linguistic Repertoire to Establish a Social and Linguistic Third Space for Learning: A Case Study of the Stars of Today Literacy Club. In Dr J. Purkarthofer and M. Flubacher (eds). Speaking Subjects in Multilingualism Research: Biographical and Speaker-centred Approaches. Multilingual Matters. UK.
• Abdulatief, S., Guzula, X., McKinney, C (2021). Delinking from Colonial Language Ideologies: Creating third spaces in teacher education. In Z. Bock and C. Stroud (Eds). Decolonising Languages and Literacies in Higher Education: Reclaiming Voices from the South. Bloomsbury. UK
• Guzula, X. (2021). De/coloniality in South African Language in Education Policy: Resisting the Marginalisation of African Language Speaking Children. In C. McKinney and P. Christie. Decoloniality, Language and Literacy: Conversations with teacher educators. Multilingual Matters. UK
• Abdulatief, S. & Guzula, X. (2017). Whatsapp as postgraduate writing support tool. In Theresa Lillis & Mary Jane Curry (eds) Global Academic Publishing: Policies, Practices and Publishing. Multilingual Matters. UK

Textbooks and Position Papers

• Asfour, F., & Guzula, X. (2025). Translingual and Multimodal Avenues for Teaching in Higher Education. In M Kozakowski &T. Kamatovic (Eds). Handbook on Inclusive Teaching: An Open Society University Network Open Education Resource. OER Commons
• Dippenaar, H., Guzula, X., Immelman, S., Laubser, E., & Mudzielwana, N. (2025). A short historical overview of children's literature. In R. Evans, I. Joubert & C, Meier (Eds), Second Edition. Introducing Children's Literature: A Guide to the South African classroom. Van Schaik Publishers. Pretoria
• bua-lit collective. (2018). How are we failing our children? Reconceptualising language and literacy education. 
   

Social Responsiveness 

• Gophe, M. (2025). A step towards multilingualism and equity in South African Education. UCT News. Cape Town.
• Davids, N. (2025). Decolonial Summer School shapes minds, challenges thinking. UCT News. Cape Town.
• Davids, N. (2024). Two bilingual education projects revolutionaries in-class
  learning. UCT News. Cape Town.
• Davids , N. (2024). Three decades of freedom: Too many flaws in SA's education system. UCT News. Cape Town.
• Davids, N. (2023) Give SA children access to rich literacy experiences. UCT News. Cape Town.
• UCT News. 2018. Book launch inspires budding scientists. UCT. Cape Town.
• Moore, K. (2017). Translating a path to success. UCT News. Cape Town.
   

Opinion Editorials

• Kell, C.; McKinney, C.; Tyler, R. & Guzula, X. (2023). South Africa’s Reading Crisis: 5 steps to address children’s literacy struggles.
• Tyler, R.; Ramadiro, B.; McKinney, C. & Guzula, X. (2022) Bilingual Education can work in South African Schools
• Albertyn, L. & Guzula, X. (2020). Multilingual classrooms boost learning. Accessed on 22.06.2022
• Bua-lit Collective. (2020). Why it can't be education as usual. Accessed on 22.06.2022
• Bua-lit Collective. (2019). The sudden transition to English is a gross injustice for African language speaking children. Accessed on 22.06.2022
• McKinnney, C. & Guzula, X. (2019). How language policy can improve learning. Accessed on 20.06.2022
• McKinney, C. & Guzula, X. (2015). How schools use language as a way to exclude children. Accessed on 22.06.2022
• Tyler, R., McKinney, C. & Guzula, X (2015). Multilingualism boosts learning and can create new science knowledge. Accessed on 20.06.2022
• Pikoli, Z. (2021). Parents, teachers and learners anxious about the reopening of schools. Accessed on 22.06.2022
• Pitt, R. (2022). New language policies get a tongue lashing over costs, feasibility and the fate of Afrikaans. Accessed 20.06.2022
• Visagie, A., Black, S., Guzula, X. Public schools are under siege: It's time to drastically revise their funding model. Accessed on 22.06.2022
   

Creative Outputs

• Guzula, X. (2025). Imimangaliso yeNdalo -Wonders of the Universe: Iinkwenkwezi neLanga -The Stars and the sun.  Pretoria. Room to Read.
• Guzula, X. (2025). iLanga nezijikelezi zalo-The solar system. Pretoria. Room to Read.
• Guzula, X. & Masola, A. (2025). Together Apart: The Story of Living in Apartheid. Johannesburg. Jacana Media. [The book is also available in isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi and Afrikaans].
• Guzula, X. & Masola, A. (2025). isiXhosa poems, rhymes and songs. In R Moahloli (ed) & K. Keokgale (Illustrator). All That I Am: a collection of South African poems & songs. Johannesburg. Pan Macmillan
• Masola, A. & Guzula, X. (2021). 10 Extraordinary Leaders, Pioneers and Activists. Johannesburg. Jacana Media
• Masola, A. & Guzula, X. (2021). 10 Inspiring Singers, Writ,ers and Artists. Johannesburg. Jacana Media
• Masola, A. & Guzula, X. (2021). 10 Curious inventors, Educators and Healers. Johannesburg. Jacana Media. [The books are also available in isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi and Afrikaans].
   

2025 Translated texts

• Khalipha Njengam, a translation of Brave like me by Zulaika Patel, Pan Macmillan
• Ulibiza Gwenxa, a translation of Wrong by Subi Bosa, David Philipp Publishers
• URosina Sedibane Modiba: Iphupha elingavunywanga, a translation of Rosina Sedibane Modiba: A dream denied by Lorato Trok , David Philipp Publishers

2024 Translated texts

• UNomkhubulwane uMama weKrisimesi, a translation of Nomkhubulwane, and African Mother Christmas by Nokugcina Mhlophe
• Inyathelo ngalinye ngexesha, a translation of One Step at a time, by Gregory Maqoma, Jacana Media
• ULuba uya eZoo, a translation of Luba Goes to the zoo, by Sewela Langeni, David Philipp Publishers
  Isikhokelo somqeqeshi, a translation of the Facilitator Guide for teaching the book, The Invisible Child, NB publishers

2023 Translated texts
 

• Cula Nala, a translation of Sing Nala by Nonikiwe Mashologu. Jacana Media
• Amantombazana akayenzi loo nto, a translation of Girls Don't Do that by Thembi Kgatlana and Nikolaos Kirkinis
• Itheko lothando likaMpumi, a translation of Mpumi's Feast of Love by Lebohang Masango. David Philipp Publishers
• Inkwenkwezi eFihlakeleyo, a translation of The Hidden Star novel for preteens by Sello Duiker. Penguin Random House
• Ukubalasela komntu endinguye, a translation of Remarkable me by Tshwanelo Serumulo. Panmacmillan
• Umntwana ongabonakaliyo, a translation of The Invisible Child by Tove Jansson, NB Publishers.
• UHector, Inkwenkwe, uQhankqalazo, neFoto eyaTshintsha Rhulumente woCalucalulo neNgcinezelo a
• Translation of Hector: A Boy, a Protest, and the Photograph that Changed Apartheid by Adrienne Wright
• UShudu – a translation of Shudu by Shudufatso Musinda
• Umdanisi wolonwabo - a translation of Joy Dancer by Gregory Maqoma
• Uyaphi uMpumi, a translation of Where does Mpumi go by Lebohang Masango.
• Ukuzihlobanisa neemvakalelo, a translation of Making friends with feelings by Sewela Langeni
• Ngowuphi umbala othandwa kakhulu nguMpumi? A translation of Which colour does Mpumi like the most by Lebohang Masango
• Uyakwazi ukubala uMpumi? A translation of Can Mpumi count? By Lebohang Masango
• Utya ntoni uMpumi? A translation of What does Mpumi eat? By Lebohang Masango
• Unxiba ntoni uMpumi, a translation of What does Mpumi Wear by Lebohang Masango. David Philipp Publishers

2023 Edited texts
 

• Indlela Ende eya eNkululekweni, a translation of Long Walk to Freedom, by Chris van Wyk. Panmacmillan
• Ingoma kaZandi, a translation of Zandi's song by Tshwanelo Serumulo. Panmacmillan
  Kwezi Comic editing, a translation of Kwezi, Collector's Edition, Issue 7-9 by Loyiso Mkhize and Clyde Beech
• UTiqua, iGorha elikhulu, a translation of Tiqua, the great warrier by Stanley Grootboom

2022 Translated texts
 

• Lazi iGama Lam, a translation of Know My Name by Refiloe Moahloli. Panmacmillan
• Sibunjwe ngokukhethekileyo, a translation of Wonderfully Made by Tshwanelo Serumula. Panmacmillan
• UFaizel nenkwenkwezi eGolide, a translation of Faizel and the Golden Star by Rafiek Mammon. Jacana Media
• Sibanye, a translation of We are one by Refiloe Moahloli. Panmacmillan
• Andindodwa, a translation of Part of a team by Refiloe Moahloli. Panmacmillan
• Ndingumlilo, a translation of I am fire by Thembikosi Kohli. David Philip Publishers
• Ndingumoya, a translation of I am air by Thembinkosi Kohli. David Philip Publishers
• Unxiba ntoni uMpumi, a translation of What does Mpumi Wear by Lebohang
  Masango. David Philipp Publishers
• Utya ntoni uMpumi, a translation of What does Mpumi eat by Lebohang Masango. David Philipp Publishers
• IGama lam elikhulu, a translation of My big name by Amonge Sinxoto and Lebohang Thato Sekwelenkwe David Philipp Publishers
• Ipati yeti yaseSoweto, a translation of Soweto tea party by Nokuthula Mazibuko. David Philip Publishers
• Igagu, a translation of Dare, by Lorna Gutierrez and Polly Noakes. Jacana Media
• Intombazana yoHlaza, translation of the Eco-girl by Ken Wilson-Max
• UNozincwadi, a Translation of Unozincwadi, Mother of Books by Gcina Mhlophe. David Philipp Publishers


Awards

• 2024 IBBY/Exclusive Books award for her quality translation of Nonikiwe Mashologu's book Sing Nala to Cula Nala in isiXhosa.
• 2024 for her translation of Cula Nala by Nonikiwe Mashologu made the honour list of IBBY 100 recommended books across the world.
• 2022 she won Pansalb Award for contribution to translation of books into isiXhosa
• 2022 she won Western Cape Cultural Award/Neville Alexander Award for multilingual publication with Dr Athambile Masola
• 2022 she won ALASA/VIA Africa emerging researcher award
• 2020 IBBY/Exclusive Books award for best translation of The Elders at the Door by Shale and Maryanne Bester to Iinkonde eMnyango
• 2020 for her translation of Wendy Hardie's book, The Singing Stone/Ilitye Eliculayo made the honour list of IBBY 100 recommended books across the world.