Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Consultus Publishing Services (CPS), in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) has intensified efforts to promote the effective use of its Rava Picture Books as part of a national campaign aimed at strengthening early childhood literacy in indigenous languages.
The campaign, first launched in 2024 under the banner “Language Legacy: Weaving Culture Through Language,” is now entering a new phase focused on training and awareness to address the underutilisation of the books in schools and communities.
Available in Xhosa, Kalanga, Nambya, Tonga, Venda, Sotho and Ndebele, the Rava Picture Books employ a text-free picture-reading methodology designed to build foundational literacy skills before children begin decoding written words.
CPS sales representative and workshop trainer, Mr Hamphrey Chidemo, said the main challenge has been limited understanding of how the books should be used.
“Even when the books reached communities or schools, many teachers and parents were not sure how to use them effectively. They are a structured bridge into reading itself,” he said.
Mr Chidemo said the current thrust shifts the focus from distribution to capacity building, with CPS set to roll out practical workshops for educators and parents to ensure correct application of the methodology.
The publisher is also repositioning the books as targeted literacy interventions for non-governmental organisations and seeking improved retail placement to enhance accessibility.
CPS general manager, Mr Masimba Tinashe Madondo, said the campaign has been showcased jointly with MoPSE at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in 2024 and 2025.
“‘Language Legacy: Weaving Cultural Threads Through Language’ is not new, as we have been co-exhibiting with MoPSE at ZITF 2024 and 2025, and we look forward to continuing the campaign,” he said.
“This phase of the campaign focuses on strengthening understanding and practical application of the Rava methodology.”
The initiative dovetails with the Government’s heritage-based curriculum, which promotes the preservation and teaching of indigenous languages as part of early childhood development.
CPS said the Rava series remains in print and available for order and described the intensified drive as an effort to maximise the impact of an existing literacy resource, with plans to develop advanced materials dependent on the success of the current phase.
