Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
THE Public Service Commission (PSC) has launched a five-day Venda language orientation programme for Government workers in Matabeleland South Province as part of efforts to improve communication and service delivery in Venda-speaking communities.
The programme, which started on Monday and ends on Friday, has brought together 56 public servants from various Government departments that work directly with communities in the province.
The training is being held at Thuli Campus in Guyu and includes participants from the Ministries of
Health and Child Care; Defence; National Housing and Social Amenities; Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs; and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, as well as trainers from the Public Service Academy.
In a statement yesterday, the PSC said the initiative was aimed at strengthening communication, promoting inclusivity and improving public service delivery while fostering greater appreciation of Zimbabwe’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Matabeleland South has a significant Venda-speaking population, particularly in Beitbridge District, making language an important factor in ensuring communities can effectively access Government information and services.
The programme forms part of broader efforts to promote the use of indigenous languages in public service delivery in line with the Constitution, which recognises 16 official languages.
Addressing the participants, PSC principal consultant, Mr Timothy Chingara said the ability of public servants to communicate in the languages spoken by the communities they serve was critical in building trust and improving relations between Government institutions and citizens.
“We believe that when a public officer can greet, explain a procedure or respond to a query in the language of the people, it builds trust and confidence in Government,” he said.
“This orientation is not just about learning words. It is about respecting culture and ensuring that no one is left behind.”
Mr Chingara said language barriers continued to affect access to information and public services, particularly in rural communities.
He encouraged participants to embrace the training, saying learning Venda would improve communication, deepen cultural understanding, strengthen community engagement and promote inclusive service delivery.
The programme will also expose participants to local customs and traditions that influence how communities interact with Government institutions.
Mr Chingara said this will help reduce misunderstandings and ensure public officers were more sensitive to the linguistic and cultural needs of the people they serve.
“The goal is to have public servants who are competent and sensitive to the linguistic needs of the people they serve,” he said.
Participants will be taken through the history of the Venda people, an introduction to the Venda language and alphabet, basic greetings and commonly used phrases relevant to sectors such as health, education, agriculture and local governance.
They will also receive lessons on cultural etiquette, with facilitators drawn from local communities and language experts leading the sessions.
The initiative is expected to help bridge the communication gap between Government institutions and Venda-speaking communities, ensuring that language does not become a barrier to accessing essential public services.
