Writing of Ndau Dictionary At An Advanced Stage

By Stephen Ephraem

CHIPINGE: The writing of a Ndau dictionary by Chipinge based authors is at advanced as the team is near completion of the project.

Mr John Madhodha Dube who spearheads the writing exercise has revealed that his team of Ndau authors who include Gift Chitumba, Newman Sigauke, Life Madhodha, Bonnie Sithole and Samson Mhlanga are working tireless to complete the dictionary by midyear.

“Our aim is to have a rich library of Ndau literature. We have several unpublished poetry anthology in Ndau language. Now we are completing the writing of a Ndau dictionary which we hope shall help scholars.

“We are excited that Ndau is now recognised as one of the sixteen official languages of Zimbabwe and we want to publish the Ndau dictionary to promote our language. We appeal for any well wisher to help us publish the dictionary,” said Madhodha.

Established Ndau author, Mr Phillip Kusasa who is the director of Ndau Festival of the Arts is happy with the initiative since his organisation is promoting Ndau literature.

“Ndau literature is required since we have a critical shortage of Ndau books for academic and entertainment purposes. Seeing writers coming up with such a project is something that excites everyone concerned with the promotion of Ndau language.

“Currently, Ndau Festival of the Arts is working in consultation with Curriculum Development Unit in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education so that Ndau literature is considered for academic purpose,” said Kusasa.

A Checheche based culturalist, Irikidzai Mtetwa is also humbled by the dictionary project.

“Many people shy away from identify themselves with Ndau language but having the authors uniting for a cultural cause is so overwhelming,” she said.