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FYI, the following item is forwarded from the ILAT
list (seen there on Sept. 20, 2005). All three of the languages are more widely
spoken in South Africa than in Zimbabwe (NB- Sepedi is also called Norther
Sotho). It would be interesting to know whether the planned teaching of these
languages at Masvingo State did indeed begin earlier this year...
DZO
Outcry for Limpopo languages at Zimbabwe University By: Wilson Dzebu http://www.zoutnet.co.za/news/details.asp?StoNum=3588 MASVINGO – Sixty five delegates from South Africa and Zimbabwe converged on
the Masvingo State University in Zimbabwe on Friday to forge a way for the
introduction of Tshivenda, Xitsonga and Sepedi at University. Language experts,
teachers, and learners deliberated on how they could build a firm cultural and
linguistic relationship within the languages of the Limpopo valley.
Masvingo state University will start teaching the three Limpopo indigenous
languages in March 2006.
The spokesperson of the Masvingo State University, Mr Kutsirai Gondo, said
the introduction of the three indigenous languages at the Zimbabwean University
will not only bring academic mutual understanding, but it will also have a
positive economic impact for Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique. Gondo said
the introduction of the languages at Masvingo State University will be an easy
task because there are high schools which are presently teaching Tshivenda and
Xitsonga in Zimbabwe. He added that Xitsonga is spoken and taught at schools in
four Zimbabwean Districts, namely: Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Mberengwa and Gwanda. He
said Tshivenda is spoken and taught in Beitbridge and Gwanda.
Vhembe High School teacher in Beitbridge, Mr Ntshavheni Ndou, representing
the Tshivenda speaking community in Zimbabwe, and Risimati Chauke of Vatsonga in
Chiredzi, welcomed the introduction of the three South African indigenous
languages at Masvingo State University. However, Ndou said there is still a big
shortage of text books because there are no publishers for those languages in
Zimbabwe. He also said the shortage of libraries in Zimbabwe can also hamper the
implementation of the language project.
Former Limpopo school teacher and Project Director of the Xitsuke African
Language Promotion, Mr. Risimati Mathonsi, said speakers of the indigenous
languages in the Limpopo valley should strive to reclaim their inter-cultural
and linguistic interaction and trade movement prior colonialism.
“There has always been an outcry for the introduction of our languages in
Zimbabwe. This initiative will help to restore our language dignity and it will
pave a way for the academic cooperation between South Africa and Zimbabwe.”
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