ED pledges inclusivity
VICTORIA FALLS- President Emmerson Mnangagwa said no language shall be left behind in national development. He said this while officially opening the National Languages Conference in Victoria Falls yesterday.
Hosted by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in partnership with other stakeholders, this year’s conference was held under the theme: ‘Redefining the Role of Zimbabwe Languages for National Development Towards Vision 2030 and Beyond.’
Addressing local and international delegates at Elephant Hills in the resort town, the president said his administration will take all indigenous languages on board towards achieving national development in the country.
” The Second Republic is implementing development that leaves no one and no place behind. Equally we are committed to keeping our languages alive by leaving no language behind,” said the president adding that the country ‘s vision on indigenous languages dovetails with section 6 and 63 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which obligates that all recognized indigenous languages be treated equally and provide every person the right to use a language of their choice.
“My Government has ensured the translation of national documents such as the constitution, National Development Strategy and COVID-19 information, education and other communication materials into 16 national languages,” said the president.
Mnangagwa explained that indigenous languages are a vital cog in national development as they enhance unity, pride and dignity of the people. He said indigenous languages must be effectively deployed so as to contribute to the formulation, implementation and nurturing of all development policies, programmes and national activities.
Turning to agriculture and mining, the president said the growth of these sectors can be achieved through the use of our own indigenous languages.
” The broader use of indigenous languages , including sign language, has to trigger active participation of communities across the length and breadth of the country, towards national building and socio- economic development programmes from ward level upwards,” he said.
The United Nations General Assembly resolution calls upon member countries to preserve, promote and protect indigenous Languages globally for sustainable development.
“Zimbabwe applauds the resolution of the UN General Assembly declaring the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Declaration of Indigenous Languages,” said Mnangagwa.
Government policy calls for the teaching of all the indigenous languages in Zimbabwe schools in order to enhance national development and growth.” To date, the Government continues to strengthen our education system through increasing the number of language professionals, especially in the less commonly taught language,” said the president.
Since adopting the 2013 Constitution, Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, namely Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa.
