Sundaymail Editor
Oliver Kazunga
Senior Reporter
PREPARATIONS for the Languages Day expo to be held in Harare on Wednesday are now advanced, generating interest from different stakeholders including individuals, institutions and the diplomatic community.
The expo, which is being organised by the country’s biggest integrated media house, Zimpapers, in partnership with the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, will be held at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, where a number of activities have been lined up to foster language and cultural diversity.
Zimpapers public relations and communications manager (DAP) Mrs Pauline Matanda said: “Preparations for the Languages Day expo are progressing smoothly … Let me hasten to say that we are right on schedule with our preparations. In terms of participation, the expo has generated interest from the diplomatic community, artistes such as Hope Masike, to mention but a few, as well as educational institutions and agencies for foreign institutions.
“Quite a significant number of schools in Harare have expressed interest in gracing the occasion and we are hopeful that the event will be invaluable to them in as far as creating awareness of the diverse languages c and cultures.
“Therefore, we are encouraging members of the public to come in their numbers to attend this critical event free of charge.”
Zimpapers is hosting the event in commemoration of the International Mother Language Day (IMLD), which was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1999 to recognise the importance of mother languages in preserving cultural heritage and promoting cultural diversity
“As you might be aware, the media plays a significant role in shaping societal identity, culture and fostering unity, and, thus, Zimpapers, as Zimbabwe’s biggest integrated media house, has taken the initiative to include the Languages Day expo on our calendar of events,” she said.
The inaugural Zimpapers’ Languages Day expo is expected to attract at least 50 delegates and over 500 attendees that include the general public.
Zimbabwe’s Constitution recognises 16 official languages — Tonga, Venda, Sign Language, IsiNdebele, Chibarwe, Shona, Kalanga, Nambya, Xhosa, Shangani, Chewa, Ndau, Tswana, Koisan, Sotho and English.
“With 16 official languages, our country is a treasure trove of linguistic heritage and as a media house, we are committed to fostering language awareness, preservation and development,” she said.
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