Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
COMMUNITIES in Matabeleland South have been encouraged to embrace local languages and young people advised to pursue fluency in multiple languages for cultural awareness and global citizenship.
Speaking at the Matabeleland South International Literacy Day event held at Zezani High School in Beitbridge District, Matabeleland South provincial education director, Mrs Beatrice Manjere, emphasised the need for stakeholders to invest in multilingual education, noting that fluency in both local and global languages can foster cultural understanding and inclusivity.
The Matabeleland South International Literacy Day event was organised by the Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust in partnership with Book Aid International.
It celebrated the importance of literacy while also promoting multilingual education under the theme “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace”.
“Youths must be encouraged to become fluent in multiple languages, including their local languages, as this helps improve cultural awareness and contributes to global citizenship,” said Mrs Manjere.
“We are not just celebrating literacy in its traditional sense, but embracing the broader vision of multilingual education as a beacon of hope for mutual understanding and peace.
“In our increasingly interconnected world, the ability to communicate across linguistic boundaries is more than a skill, but a bridge to connect cultures, foster empathy and build partnerships.”
Mrs Manjere stressed that multilingual education stands as a beacon of inclusivity, a bridge that connects different communities, and a tool for peace-building.
She urged attendees to “invest in educational systems that honour and cultivate the linguistic heritage of all learners while equipping them with the tools to thrive in a pluralistic world”.
Mr Michael Moyo, director of the Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust, explained that their target is to open wider life opportunities for children and youth in the region, increase their resilience, and reduce their vulnerability to adversities and predatory elements within society.
Speaking at the event, Mr Moyo said the Trust’s work has become an innovative vehicle for economic development and livelihoods, not just creating a reading culture.
He said children’s lives cannot improve unless their families are enabled to nurture them in more satisfying ways.
“As a trust, our education programmes are designed to reach all children by providing supplementary reading materials and activities. These allow them to attain higher levels of functional literacy, explore the world at hand and afar through books, and be exposed to ideals of their rights as children,” he said.
“The Trust runs a library and under it, there are various programmes and over the years it has become an innovative vehicle for economic development and livelihoods, not just creating a reading culture.”
By promoting multilingual education and advancing literacy in the region, the event underlined the importance of education in fostering cultural understanding and peace building.
The event also highlighted the Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust’s efforts to advance literacy in the region. In addition to providing supplementary reading materials and activities to help children attain higher levels of functional literacy, the Trust has established micro-libraries in various schools, equipped libraries in several schools across the province, and provided support to institutions like Kip Keino Children’s Home, Gwanda Prison and Gwanda Provincial Hospital.
It has distributed books to 75 primary and nine secondary schools, impacting more than 23 731 learners. Beyond children, the Trust has also extended support to adults in their communities. — @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter