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Youth Interactive Writer
Award-winning author, Chengeto Mayowe Jnr has broken the record after she wrote a children’s book that has been translated into 15 languages.
The book which is expected to be launched in August this year will be record-breaking with 15 languages, 11 of these being indigenous languages that are spoken in Zimbabwe and the SADC Region.
The four major languages are English, Germany, Portuguese and French
In a statement, Mayowe revealed that the book is appealing to children in their formative years introducing familial relationships, cultural customs, and proverbs and instilling a sense of pride in one’s ethnicity.
“The children’s book series will target children in their formative years, aged between 0-8 years, introducing familial relationships, cultural customs, proverbs and instilling a sense of pride in one’s ethnicity,” said Mayowe. Mayowe who is also the founder of Mambokadzi Builds Foundation and ambassador of cultural, tourism, and heritage revealed that she is the first to have a book of that nature.
She is also the daughter of the late national hero Ambassador John George. Mayowe highlighted that she is passionate about issues of national significance, most importantly issues around representation, inclusion, and cultural heritage.
“I am passionate about issues of national significance, most importantly issues around representation, inclusion, and cultural heritage.
“Many times, we tend to drive Shona and Ndebele narratives, and yet Zimbabwe is made up of a diverse plethora of beautiful ethnic groups. I cannot champion inclusivity if I ignore all the colours of the nation.” said Mayowe.
She added that she was influenced by her background adding, that her childhood had a great influence on her love of culture as she grew up in a loving cultural home. Mayowe indicated that the book would invoke patriotism among the children to love their country in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision.
“His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa states that “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” and what our children read is the very foundation the country will be built on as they are the future. The First Lady, Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa is also a patron of culture and this is how I am supporting that movement for we cannot allow our culture to die,” she said.
“Cultural pride and heritage is what I am trying to evoke in children by stimulating their sense of ethnic pride, starting from their names through to their customs,” said Mayowe.
She says having never seen herself represented in books, particularly children’s books, she wanted to create something that any Zimbabwean boy or girl could relate to.
Mayowe said the book also complements values through its dedication to representing at the grassroots level.
“The books do not just support the Cultural and Family Values subject that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education introduced a few years ago, but they also complement those values through their dedication to represent at grass root level,” she said.
“If you wish to kill a culture, kill its language. Once it dies, there’s no way anyone can revive it.”
The launch of the book was delayed by the process of translation.
“The book was completed last year and the process of translation delayed the launching exercise.
Mayowe mentioned that she did not want to release the book without it being released in a minimum of eight languages.
She plans to distribute the book in the areas where the languages are spoken most to promote inclusion and representation and ensure that stories are told in their mother tongue.
Online Reporter