PUPILS WANT EXAM QUESTIONS IN BOTH ENGLISH, SISWATI

NHLANGANO – Pupils have given government a challenge to walk the talk and give them examination questions written in both English and SiSwati for them to understand better.

This was during the commemoration of International Mother Language Day. The day was first introduced by an initiative in Bangladesh. It was approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) General Conference in 1999 and has been observed around the world every year since 2002. Each year, a different focus is brought to light. This year’s commemoration was themed ‘Tilimi temdzabu tiyinsika yemfundvo yetitukulwane netitukulwane’ (traditional languages are a pillar of generational education).

Participating schools were Nhlangano Central, Etjendlovu, Salem and Ngozi FEA high schools, as well as Ngwane Practising Primary. The pupils were making a presentation on behalf of Nhlangano Central High School and focused on how the Ministry of Education and Training could assist in preserving the mother tongue. They shared that this would not only help them understand the questions better, but enrich the understanding of the mother tongue. Some pupils suggested that there were supposed to be regional and national talent auditions for siSwati words and meanings among other things. They also suggested traditional food cooking competitions. Imisebe Publishers Managing Director Hlobisile Stromvig said they had noted improvements in the interest of the young generation in learning their mother tongue. Stromvig said they had seen that some young people were more interested in their mother tongue when compared to previous years.

Technology

She said they felt the need to have more technology-based activities, as most of the youth were into technology so they were able to learn their mother tongue. She said the commitment of different organisations to ensuring the recognition of the mother tongue was valued. She stated that they saw how pupils were excited to have cultural activities. When asked what they were doing to ensure that the mother tongue was kept, she stated that this was done in books. As such, she said there was a Siswati Dictionary (sichazamagama) that they made as part of ensuring that people understood the language. She explained that they roped in different writers who knew the Siswati language, including, Salayedvwa Magagula, Thembekile Msibi, Thoko Mgabhi and Sarah Mkhonza among others. She said they shared their knowledge.

In this year’s commemoration, there were scholars and Stromvig explained that the pupils would help them note gaps that needed to be filled in the different ministries so as to improve the usage of the mother tongue. National Council of Arts and Culture Chief Executive Officer Stanley Dlamini said they always encouraged cultural activities as they determined the future of the mother tongue and the culture itself. He encouraged different organisations to always promote culture and the speaking of the mother tongue.

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