Former Inyathi Mission students compile anthology

Nkosizile Ndlovu
THREE former Inyathi High School pupils and a teacher at the school have compiled a 91-page IsiNdebele anthology that is set to be launched in Bulawayo.

The book which is being edited by a renowned cultural and a language expert Naison Tfwala will be titled aï¿½?ezika Mthwakazi ewatheni lika ndumbaaï¿½ï¿½.

The former pupils Methembe Hadebe, Nkosilomusa Mlilo, Lovemore Sibeko were part of the drama club with Mthukutheli Ndlovu as their patron.

aï¿½?We have been doing theatre arts since high school. We are all products of our former drama patron Mthukutheli Ndlovu. We decided to put our ideas into pen and paper after realising how we are all attached to writing,aï¿½? said Mlilo.

Hadebe said that the book pursued the revival of the IsiNdebele language.

aï¿½?We were inspired to write this book to revive our mother language (IsiNdebele) and fight against street lingo and slang which is now common especially among the youths.

aï¿½?The poems are about the language, reconciliation, religion and entertainment. Everyone is set to benefit as we used the language that is appealing and easy to understand by all age groups,aï¿½? said Hadebe.

Leaders of African Network Project Coordinator Richard Mahomva from Mpopoma who are compiling the book said they became interested in the book because it was deep rooted in culture and it reflected a new sub version of the IsiNdebele language which would save the language for more generations to come.

aï¿½?We are an organisation that is dealing with knowledge generation. We became attracted to this book because itaï¿½ï¿½s written in IsiNdebele and reflects new sub version of the language which is moving with the times. It is so enriched in the language and deep rooted in culture which is good for the future generation,aï¿½? said Mahomva.