Outcry for Limpopo languages at Zimbabwe University (fwd)

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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.”