By McGeorge Mbare
Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Mazungunye, celebrated a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s history during the Constitutional Awareness Meeting on Language Speaking Areas at Kingdom Light in Beitbridge.
Speaking at The constitutional Awareness Meeting on Language Speaking areas held at Kingdom light Beitbridge,The Deputy Minister highlighted the government’s successful efforts in reproducing the Constitution in various vernacular languages, marking a groundbreaking step towards inclusivity and cultural recognition.
“The Government has made great inroads towards the reproduction of the Constitution in vernacular languages. I am glad to report that not only do we now have the abridged version of the Constitution in vernacular languages, but we have the full translated version of the Constitution in all the officially recognized languages, which were launched in 2018.” he said
Hon. Mazungunye articulated the importance of this achievement, noting it as a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s history.
‘This proved to be a great milestone in our country as my Ministry is proud to inform that Zimbabwe is the first nation in all of Africa to make such a notable achievement, with significant progress in the production of the Constitution in sign language.”
Hon. Mazungunye emphasized the necessity of recognising minority languages at a national level
“The officialisation of the 16 languages by means of the Constitution shall go an extra mile in ensuring the promotion and advancement of the recognition, use, and equal treatment of languages in our beautiful country.” he stated
Chief Matibe, speaking to Ziyah News Network expressed his gratitude for the recognition of the Tshivenḓa language, calling it a significant moment for the community.
“I’m glad that the government has come to recognise us and our language. It will remain a day to remember and a great honour for our people and culture to have our Constitution in our own language,” he said.
Community members who attended the meeting displayed enthusiasm, continuing their traditional practices and honoring their chieftainship while embracing the recognition of their language through a Constitution written in Tshivenḓa.
The government’s initiative stands as a beacon of hope for the promotion of cultural diversity and inclusive in Zimbabwe’s legal framework.