News / Regional
Kalanga textbooks launch set for today
24 Jan 2014 at 07:17hrs | Views
THE KALANGA Language and Cultural Development Association (KLCDA) has published primary school textbooks in an effort to step up its campaign to have the language fully introduced in schools in line with the new Constitution.
KLCDA is a local independent organisation that seeks to promote Kalanga language and culture.
Officials said the books for Grade 1-7 were published under the organisation's subsidiary Kwalani Publishing House and would be officially unveiled to schools at a launch to be held at Plumtree High School today.
The printing of these textbooks catering for schools in Mangwe, Bulilima and Matopo was bankrolled by the Education Transition Fund set up during the coalition government in 2009 under the then Education, Sport, Arts and Culture ministry.
Tshidzanani Malaba, KLCDA secretary, said his organisation envisaged publishing more books to cater for other districts such as Tsholotsho and Gwanda where the language is spoken.
"They have come at the right time when we are not only protected by the Education Act, but by the Bill of Rights in the new Constitution," Malaba said.
"As an organisation we are willing to partner with the Education ministry so that we educate teachers on how to teach the language. We are happy because the introduction of these languages in the Constitution was overwhelmingly received by all marginalised communities," he added.
Kalanga has in the past been taught in some of Matabeleland South primary schools.
Kalanga author and language activist Ndzimu-unami Emmanuel Moyo hailed the publication of the books.
"Now that we have a Constitution that recognises Kalanga, it is high time Kalanga authors invested in writing literature that facilitates the teaching of Kalanga in schools. As an author, I would like to write more books to promote Kalanga," he said.
"I have already set the tone by writing extensively on Kalanga history and I am working on more books to be used in the Kalanga syllabus. I hope in the next five years Kalanga will have been fully introduced in the education system."
Matabeleland South provincial education director Tumisang Thabela confirmed the unveiling of the textbooks.
"We are definitely going to unveil the textbooks this Friday so that they are distributed to schools," she said.
KLCDA is a local independent organisation that seeks to promote Kalanga language and culture.
Officials said the books for Grade 1-7 were published under the organisation's subsidiary Kwalani Publishing House and would be officially unveiled to schools at a launch to be held at Plumtree High School today.
The printing of these textbooks catering for schools in Mangwe, Bulilima and Matopo was bankrolled by the Education Transition Fund set up during the coalition government in 2009 under the then Education, Sport, Arts and Culture ministry.
Tshidzanani Malaba, KLCDA secretary, said his organisation envisaged publishing more books to cater for other districts such as Tsholotsho and Gwanda where the language is spoken.
"They have come at the right time when we are not only protected by the Education Act, but by the Bill of Rights in the new Constitution," Malaba said.
Kalanga has in the past been taught in some of Matabeleland South primary schools.
Kalanga author and language activist Ndzimu-unami Emmanuel Moyo hailed the publication of the books.
"Now that we have a Constitution that recognises Kalanga, it is high time Kalanga authors invested in writing literature that facilitates the teaching of Kalanga in schools. As an author, I would like to write more books to promote Kalanga," he said.
"I have already set the tone by writing extensively on Kalanga history and I am working on more books to be used in the Kalanga syllabus. I hope in the next five years Kalanga will have been fully introduced in the education system."
Matabeleland South provincial education director Tumisang Thabela confirmed the unveiling of the textbooks.
"We are definitely going to unveil the textbooks this Friday so that they are distributed to schools," she said.
Source - southerneye
