MSU avails Shona and Ndebele versions of the Highw...

MSU avails Shona and Ndebele versions of the Highway Code

Zim Now Writer

Gweru-based Midlands State University has translated the Highway Code and provisional driver’s licence examination into Shona and Ndebele languages.

The Highway Code contains road safety rules which apply to the use of Zimbabwean roads.

MSU National Language Institute executive director Professor Wiseman Magwa confirmed the development during the launch of African languages week.

“As the NLI, we have the new Constitution, which we have translated into all 15 local languages. We translated the Highway Code and the provisional driver’s licence examination into Shona and Ndebele.

“So, if you go to any Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) depot, you can get your licence in Shona or Ndebele. It is now possible to use those local languages, and people are enjoying it,” he said.

The NLI was officially commissioned at MSU’s main campus in May 2019 and is expected to preserve and promote indigenous languages and culture.

MSU has translated the new Constitution into the country’s 15 indigenous languages and is currently working on the translation of science textbooks into indigenous languages.

The Constitution recognises 16 official languages, namely Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Chewa, Venda, and Xhosa.

Magwa added that the NLI is working on translating more Government programmes, policies, and the national budget from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development into indigenous languages.

“This way, people will have a buy-in if they understand. We will assist the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to translate policies into local languages. We have done a lot as the NLI and will do more to promote local languages,” he said.

The government recently approved a budget allocation of US$174 000 for the Strategic Literature Development project which has seen Science textbooks and literature being produced in indigenous languages.