By A Correspondent- Chipinge South CCC legislator Clifford Hlatshwayo has called on the Government to stop teaching Shona in schools in Chipinge, arguing that Ndau should be prioritised as the indigenous language of the area.

Hlatshwayo said imposing Shona on learners in a predominantly Ndau-speaking community amounted to a form of cultural colonisation and urged authorities to deploy teachers who speak Ndau to schools across Chipinge.

He made the remarks during the Matlharihasi Festival held at Hakamela Stadium in Chipinge South on Friday. The event brought together traditional leaders from Chipinge South and Chiredzi, as well as representatives from Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, Chilo Gorge and Save Valley Conservancy.

“What pains me is that we are being forced to learn a language that is alien to us. We are Shanghani, we are Ndau let us learn our language. Learning in Shona is colonisation. Government should support our indigenous language,” Hlatshwayo said.

The legislator also criticised the introduction of Mbende Jerusarema as a compulsory dance under the Ministry of Education’s Heritage Based Curriculum.

Hlatshwayo argued that schools in the region should instead promote traditional dances associated with local communities.

“We don’t want our children to be taught Jerusarema dance, it’s not their culture, we have our own dances and our children should be taught those dances in schools,” he said.

Chief Gezani, who attended the festival, backed the legislator’s position, saying education in indigenous languages could strengthen children’s understanding and appreciation of their cultural heritage.

“I support the MP. Teaching our children in their indigenous language will enable them to know and understand better their culture. This will help preserve the culture,” said Chief Gezani.

Chief Tshovani of Chiredzi also supported the call for greater recognition of indigenous cultural practices, saying his community should have its Xibelani dance taught and promoted as part of its cultural heritage.