Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
THE Bubye Valley Conservancy has donated TshiVenda textbooks to 15 primary schools in Beitbridge District to support the teaching of home languages in the education sector.
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts led by Beitbridge senior traditional leader, Chief Tshitaudze, to promote and preserve Venda culture.
The programme aims to strengthen students’ learning and promote literacy in the local language, which was introduced into the national curriculum a few years ago.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, on Tuesday handed over a consignment of Venda textbooks for children in Grades 5 and 6, sourced with the support of the Bubye Valley Conservancy (BVC).
The textbooks were presented to representatives of Mugaladivha, Malala, Langeni, Mpande, Mutetenwa, Mapili, Majini, Tongwe, Jopembe, Lesanthe, Madzivhe, Matshiloni, Malusungane, Zhopembe and Penemene Primary Schools during a colourful event held at Lesanthe Primary School in Ward 13.
“This is a welcome gesture by BVC in supporting our heritage based curriculum in our education system.
I want to urge other corporations and businesses operating in the province to always give back to the community and partner with the community and the Government for the successful policy implementation. We appreciate the BVC, one of the key players that support service delivery initiatives in the education, livelihoods, health and water and sanitation sectors to assist in sourcing these books,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
Minister Nguluvhe said further support was required to ensure all schools received textbooks up to Grade 7, Ordinary Level and Advanced Level.
He said the donation was a boost to ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to strengthen the teaching of indigenous languages nationwide.
Minister Nguluvhe added that mobilising TshiVenda textbooks marked a significant step towards promoting inclusive education and meeting the diverse needs of learners in Beitbridge.
“The programme began last year with the same schools receiving text books for the Grade 3 and 4, which are important classes when pupils transit from infant classes. Our desire is to have more textbooks up to Advanced Level so that students from this area may perform better in public examinations.
“Before the introduction of TshiVenda in our education system, we had some pupils doing well on other subjects but were struggling in home languages. So, we are making a step in the right direction,” said Beitbridge District Schools Inspector, Mr Mbofholoho Muleya.
At present, the district has 72 registered primary schools and 19 secondary schools, where the availability of Venda textbooks remains limited.
Mr Muleya said reading was critical for effective learning, making stakeholder collaboration to increase access to learning materials a major game changer.
Speaking at the same event, Beitbridge RDC chairperson, Cllr Oscar Chiromo, said the mobilisation of textbooks reflected a shared commitment to ensuring every child had access to quality learning resources.
“Education is the foundation upon, which strong communities and successful nations are built. When we invest in our children’s education, we are investing in a better tomorrow,” said Cllr Chiromo.
BVC’s community relations manager, Mr Collet Sayi, said the organisation would continue supporting the Beitbridge community in agriculture, education, health and infrastructure development.
“We are supporting 28 percent of the schools in Beitbridge on a number of issues including infrastructure development and we are helping a number of clinics in terms of maternal health and other related issues,” said Mr Sayi.
He said next year BVC would mobilise TshiVenda textbooks for Grades 7 and 2, with more support for ECD and Grade 1 planned for 2028.
