In a landmark event aligned with the national vision of “leaving no one and no place behind,” the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development, Professor dr. Amon Murwira, officially launched elementary science terms glossaries in 15 of the constitutionally recognised languages of Zimbabwe at Midlands State University (MSU) in Gweru on June 3, 2024.
This ground-breaking feat, which translates complex scientific jargon into vernacular languages, including braille, Kalanga, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa, was accomplished by the esteemed MSU National Language Institute, a prestigious language consultancy firm.
MSU Vice Chancellor, Professor Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa, emphasised the pivotal role played by the University through the MSU National Language Institute in promoting the use of Zimbabwe’s constitutionally recognised languages.
“Through the National Language Institute, MSU strives to generate terminology in our indigenous languages for use by schools in teaching and learning.
“After the launch of the Glossaries, we endeavor to create orthographies, thesauruses and dictionaries in our indigenous languages,” remarked Professor Muzvidziwa.
He further highlighted that the University is working towards the development and standardisation of orthographies of formerly marginalised languages such as ChiBarwe and Ndau.
Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, echoed the government’s vision of inclusivity and praised MSU’s pioneering role in preserving the nation’s heritage through revolutionary language translation initiatives.
Honourable Ncube remarked, “Guest of honour, congratulations for commencing the long colonially hindered and delayed journey for Zimbabwe to reclaim the legacy of the great Munhumutapa Empire known for producing architects, engineers, astronauts, scientists, and industrialists with our languages at the core of teaching and learning”.
While introducing the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Professor Fanuel Tagwira described Professor Amon Murwira as the Chief Apostle of the Education 5.0 doctrine who has seen its implementation across various ministries in the country.
Delivering his keynote address, the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science & Technology Development, Professor dr. Amon Murwira, highlighted the importance of embracing indigenous languages for the development of the country.
“To be successful in the 21st century and beyond a language has to be applicable in Engineering, Mathematics, Science and Technology Development.
“Accordingly, concepts and terminologies must be constructed in local languages to ensure that knowledge for the citizenry is transmitted easily and for developmental purposes,” said Professor Murwira.
The event was graced by senior government officials, school heads, and pupils from secondary and primary schools across the Midlands Province.
Through the MSU National Language Institute, the University is relentless preserving and promoting local languages.