IsiNdebele Bible launched
Providence Moyo
Hundreds of people gathered at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) on Friday to witness the launch of the IsiNdebele Bible by International Bible Society, Biblica in Partnership with Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA).
This special occasion was graced by people from all over the world, local chiefs, over 200 pastors and scores of Zimbabweans from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the occasion, Bishop Dixon Changara, a lead pastor with Celebration Church Zimbabwe said pastors are looking forward to using this bible to enhance evangelism and assist communities.
“I pay my gratitude to Biblica for the extensive work done as this will help pastors deliver effective evangelism that will assist, groom and nurture vulnerable communities by giving them hope and a tool to use.”
Executive director of ZCA Reverend Useni Sibanda said being part of the project is a source of pride for his organisation.
Chief Mtshane Khumalo of Inyathi in Bubi district told Community Podium that he was grateful to Biblica for the acknowledgement and recognition of the Ndebele language. He said local languages are a vital means of sharing information.
Vice president of Biblica in Africa, Lydia Munene told this publication that the project was borne out of the realisation that local language has huge impact on communities.
“We realised that there was a gap between information sharing and Ndebele speakers so we set up a team drawn from different Christian set ups to assist in the translation and embarked on this journey and we are optimistic that it will help Ndebele speakers understand the word of God. As Biblica, we are dedicated to give translations in different languages across Africa as we preach the gospel,” she said.
Reverend Milson Ndlovu of Bretheren In Christ Church (BICC) praised BIiblica and urged them to produce bibles in other local languages.
“This indeed is a beautiful event to oversee, we are happy about this progress as it will lessen our struggles with interpreters as the bible is being availed in local languages because language is an important tool in successful communication. I challenge Biblica to also trabslate the bible in other languages and this will assist in spreading the gospel of the Almighty God,” said Ndlovu.
The new bible is available in both hardcopy and electronic copy and according to Biblica field Product Manager, Digital Innovation, Dennis Nzuki “Zimbabwe has the highest number of downloaders of the electronic copy as it makes up 90% of the users. SA comes a distant second.”
