Thando Siziba
Speakers call for increased formal education support, literature production, and cultural preservation to strengthen one of Zimbabwe’s 16 official languages.
In a concerted push to strengthen one of Zimbabwe’s cornerstone languages, members of the Kalanga community are outlining a multi-faceted vision for the promotion and preservation of TjiKalanga.
Emphasising its constitutional status and deep cultural roots, advocates see the language as a vital pillar of the nation’s diverse heritage.
The call to action is clear: leverage formal education, invest in language resources, and use creative arts to ensure TjiKalanga thrives for future generations.
“According to the national constitution, TjiKalanga is one of the officially recognised languages,” noted a Kalanga advocate Jechoniah Nyathi, referencing Section 6 of the Constitution which names it among Zimbabwe’s 16 official languages. This legal standing provides a foundation for more robust development.
The primary strategy hinges on the formal education system. There is a identified stronghold of primary schools across Mangwe, Bulilima, and Matobo districts—including Madabe, Sangulube, Bhango, and Makhubu, among others—where TjiKalanga can be taught as a core subject.
This effort is bolstered by existing government teacher training programmes for primary and secondary levels, which produce specialist TjiKalanga instructors.
“Through formal education, TjiKalanga can be taught effectively in schools where the language is dominant,” the advocate stated. “This is an opportunity for the local TjiKalanga speakers to invest in the language and make positive strides.They have to produce literature to improve the language.”
Beyond the classroom, promotion thrives in informal and community spaces. Radio BuKalanga serves as a critical hub, providing a platform for dialogue and cultural expression. The artistic community is also tapped as a powerful vehicle for awareness.
The suggestion is to use TjiKalanga-language plays and drama to address pressing social issues like Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Drug and Substance Abuse.
Musicians are already leading by example. Artists such as Dingumuzi Phuthi and Sotsha Moyo, who are also members of the Kalanga Language and Culture Development Association (KLCDA), are using their music to amplify the language. “They are doing very well to support the language,” the advocate said, encouraging more artists in Mangwe, Matobo, and Bulilima to follow suit.
The drive for language preservation is fundamentally tied to safeguarding Zimbabwe’s rich and colourful cultural tapestry. “Preservation of any speech community is an enrichment of our diversity in terms of culture,” the advocate explained. The language is the carrier of unique artefacts, dances, songs, lullabies, and children’s games.
This cultural connection is etched into the landscape itself. Several heritage sites bear original Kalanga names, such as Luswingo in Bulilima, Tombo tjaNtogwa in Mangwe, and Matanhangombe in Gwanda.
The advocate pointed out a historical loss, noting that “most names have been distorted by the arrival of non-speakers, the white settlers,” underscoring the importance of linguistic preservation in maintaining historical accuracy and cultural identity.
The collective vision from the Kalanga community presents a comprehensive blueprint: solidify TjiKalanga in schools, support its use in media and the arts, and recognize its indispensable role in holding the history and heritage of Zimbabwe. As the advocate summarized, this effort is about more than words—it’s about preserving the soul of a culture for generations to come.
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