Chronicle Editor
Tafadzwa Chibukwa, Chronicle Reporter
Members of the public have applauded the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development for translating the Highway Code into the country’s indigenous languages.
The distribution of 20 000 copies of Shona and Ndebele versions of the Highway Code began this week.
Authorities are also working towards translating the Highway Code into the remaining 13 official languages.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said additional copies will be printed based on demand.
The translation is part of an initiative to make learning road rules and regulations inclusive.
Members of the public said the translation of the highway code will help many people understand provisions of the code.
Some language experts said many other documents should also be translated to local languages.
A historian, Mr Samuel Mulaudzi said the development will help drivers understand the rules of the road thereby reducing traffic accidents.
He said the Ministry should translate the Highway Code into the other remaining local languages.
Senior Lecturer in the Department of Languages at Lupane State University, Dr Busani Maseko said it is a milestone development.
He said as a lecturer he has come to know that people learn and understand concepts better when speaking in their mother tongue.
“This inclusion of indigenous languages will help reduce the language barriers that were proving to be problematic for some who wanted to drive,” said Dr Maseko.
He said people express themselves better in their mother language so answering driving question has been made easy.
Mr Omphile Marupi, a language expert said the introduction of the Highway Code to the public in local languages is a fulfilment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
He said it will help pedestrians to understand road rules as well.
“Besides helping drivers and learners, the Highway Code will enable even pedestrians to understand road rules,” said Mr Marupi. – @Sagepapie14
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