Zukeka Jacob, News24 User
My name is "Zukeka".
Zu-ke-ka. How difficult was that to pronounce?
When my grandmother gave me this name, I can just imagine the pride that she had. I am sure that she must be rocking in her grave every time I make a call to some organisation and some non-Xhosa/Nguni speaking person asks me to spell my name (no matter how clearly I try to say it).
The question that comes at the very first mention of my name is "Can you spell that please?" So far, I have not been able to describe the tone that comes with the question, all I know is that it does not give me a good feeling.
What annoys me even further is the unwillingness to learn our names.
I have come across many occasions where I have had to spell my name for the same person more than once. I am sure that they possess enough intelligence to learn any Nguni name.
Most South African black families are moving away from giving "English" names to their children because of the need to give them a black identity.
In the old days it was done to make it easier for white people to announce. Today the trend is shorter names. People still think twice about giving names like "Qaqamba" to their children. The likely names are "Uzile", "Lunje", "Luvo" etc.
Are we moving backwards in a different route? I have nothing against these names. But I am still worried that we are giving these names because of societal pressures as well. Are we subtly trying to make life easier for the non-Nguni language speakers?
This is an issue that is easily dismissible by management, because it sounds petty and affects a minority. I think it is to any company's competitive advantage to ensure that their employees are addressing this issue, especially the ones that have to be the word of the company (like receptionists).
It gives a very bad impression about their progressiveness in the new South Africa. Initiatives must be put to hammer the impoliteness of this behaviour and eliminate it.
