Sotho language commemorated

Valencia Ndhlovu in Manama, Gwanda
THE promotion and preservation of African languages should be very close to the African people’s hearts as it is not only a show of pride of identity but an important vehicle of socio-economic development, Retired High Court judge, Justice Maphios Cheda has said.

Speaking at a function yesterday to celebrate the Zimbabwe Sotho Development Initiative (Zimsodi) that was launched  in 2021 as a way of observing the African Languages Week at Manama High School in Gwanda, Rtd Justice Cheda said the African languages week was a special week that should be observed by all member states of Africa. He said as the BaSotho, they were supportive of the great initiative because they have a language and culture to observe hence their participation.

“It is a week that marks our African identity, and the Sotho language enhances the socio-economic development of the community, nation, or region,” he said.

He added that there were many reasons why the Sotho-speaking people have decided to come up with and support the initiative.

“One of them is its extinction due to it being regarded as one of the minority groups in Zimbabwe. In schools, the language has not been taught for years meaning the knowledge dies with the few elderly people who would have known it. Even if the language is taught, there is a shortage of reading material in schools and teachers to impart the knowledge. Another reason is the marriage system where a Sotho man gets married to a non-Sotho-speaking woman which means that children won’t know the Sotho language as they spend most of the time with their mother.

“Section 6 of the 2013 constitution seeks to promote the development of our indigenous languages. It seeks to establish parity of esteem among indigenous languages in a bid to achieve social cohesion and reduce apparent tension among different ethnic communities. So let us demonstrate to the world whom we are by ensuring that we research and document relevant and adequate literature for our languages in order to remain relevant,” said Rtd Justice Cheda.

Zimsodi looks forward to grouping the Sotho people into different sections and to having researchers who will dig deep into the culture of the Sotho people. They also wish to have a committee to look for funds to sponsor those who will write schoolbooks for children.

The founder of Zimsodi, Maretha Dube who works at Midlands State University’s National Language Institute said they were looking forward to having projects for the young so that they were taught how to preserve their languages.

“We are looking to work in line with the Constitution to change the education system to involve everyone. They are books that have already been written by Sotho people for Sotho speaking people.

These books were written before the heritage-based curriculum and they should be revised to suit the new curriculum.”

The Zimbabwe Sotho Development Initiative works under the values that uphold them as the Sotho Culture. These are humanity (Botho), results, service, empathy, inclusivity, participation, integrity, and honesty. It also recognizes other cultures and wishes they can all be celebrated, and no group should be titled as being a minority.

The mission of the Zimsodi is to be a leading organization that creates an empowered, dynamic and adaptive community through the protection, promotion, development, and preservation of the Sotho language and culture.