TSO-RO SO Development Trust director Davy Ndlovu has produced a San language resources manual book to guide learners, as linguists say the language is seriously facing extinction.
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Speaking to Southern Eye yesterday, Ndlovu said he first mooted the idea of writing the manual sometime in 2011 and had finally completed it this month.
The 40-page book, which is written in three languages, Tshwao, Ndebele and English – with Ndebele and English being used to give meanings of the words in Tshwao – is expected to be launched in Bulawayo on October 29, after a traditional and cultural festival launch of the book in Tsholotsho in accordance with the San culture and tradition.
“I wrote this book because the San have a critical role to pay in the history of Zimbabwe, but at the moment they are not being considered in most historical events in the country, as if they do not exist,” he said.
“Zimbabwe’s history does not seem to recognise the San though they are the ones who did the rock paintings which the country is well known for. They contribute to tourism for the country with their ancient art works.”
Ndlovu said presently no one has conducted an in-depth research on the San people.
“This book is an effort to create space for the recognition of the San and their language,” he explained.
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“I wrote this book as a way of lobbying for the recognition of the San language. There does not seem to be a structured commitment by the powers that be to document or preserve this language.” Ndlovu said presently the youngest Tshawo speaker in Tsholotsho was born in 1945 and it was clear the language faced extinction.
“This means that the language will disappear soon if this initiative to have it taught at schools is not taken seriously and promptly,” he said.
Ndlovu said he had started recording with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation some Tshwao programmes, which he hoped would revive and preserve the language. Ndlovu called for all concerned citizens to chip in with material and financial assistance to have the language preserved for future generations.
