https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3 2026-04-10T12:16:08Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6249 Title: Prospects and Challenges of Standardisation of Kalanga Orthography Authors: Ndhlovu Hlalani; Dr. R. Nhongo [SUPERVISOR] Abstract: The study is in the area of language planning and policy. It investigated on prospects and challenges of standardisation of Kalanga orthography as specifically obtained in Bulilima and Mangwe districts. The study identified and assessed the challenges and prospects of standardisation of Kalanga orthography with particular reference to language practices and choices in the districts. The research was premised on the fact that all languages with a dialect bias or a variety need to be standardised for it to develop a writing system. Kalanga is a dialectal language and is new in the field of nationally recognised languages hence developing a new language orthography is a dilemma. Unifying the dialects to come up with a standard with typically similar characteristics is therefore conceived as a major challenge. The process is seen as downgrading and killing other dialects. On the other hand an accepted writing norm presents the common language with numerous advantages specifically for community and national functions. The study is qualitative in nature where a case study research design was employed. Through qualitative data collection instruments, questionnaires, interview and documentary analysis were used to solicit data from purposively selected educationists, local leaders and Kalanga language experts. Based on the fact that Language need to be managed and developed, the language management theory as propounded by Mwaniki (2004) was implored as guideline to the research. The major findings of the study reiterated on the views of both scholars and respondents that challenges associated with dialectal variations, language purism and nonlinguistic factors militated against language use and language choices. The extended findings on prospects of standardisation built largely on the facts that the orthography develops a uniform writing system which in turn enhances literature production. Language management indeed sustained and improved the growth of language and this began with a standardised orthography. For the Kalanga orthography therefore harmonising the three dialects within the same orthography where no dialect is consumed by the other was proposed the greatest prospect in the pipeline. 2017-10-01T00:00:00Z Ndhlovu Hlalani Dr. R. Nhongo [SUPERVISOR] https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3376 Title: The manifestation of self-hatred in Mabvumira eNhetembo Authors: Tambanewenyu, Rutendo Abstract: This study is in the area of literal studies. This study focuses on the Manifestation of selfhatred in Mabvumira enhetembo published by Literature Bureau during colonial period. This study is driven by Afrocentricity that seeks to revive and resurrect African culture and African philosophies of life. Couched and guided with Afrocentricity, the study also relies on the information obtained from respondents acquired through interviews and questionnaires. The research participants include of poets, academics, publishing houses and students. A strong background was laid, as the study examined the role of poets in Shona society, the channels that propagated self-hatred in Africa and the manifestation of self-hatred in Africa. The channels that propagated self-hatred in Africa includes of colonial education, Christianity and literature bureau. The study argues that, poets must move away from white supremacist and appreciate African culture thus putting it at the centre. This entails that Shona literature must enable people to fight against their struggles and revive African cultures. More so, the study argues that Shona people must appreciate and celebrate their African philosophies of life and culture. The study went further to establish that, families in the Shona society are critical to nation building. The researcher hopes that this study will contribute in the resurrecting and reviving of African culture. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Tambanewenyu, Rutendo https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3371 Title: Traditional house painting, architecture, decorative motifs and their cosmological underpinnings: the case of ward 17 Matobo district. Authors: Dube, Quiet Abstract: The study focuses on the shapes of buildings, decorative motifs and their cosmological underpinnings. The symbols are so engrained into a people’s culture that when people see these symbols they do not get the messages infused on the symbols. The thrust of this study is to unpack the cosmogonies, worldview and philosophy of life embedded on the designs and decorative motifs executed on houses in Matobo district. The study is qualitative and relied on interviews, observations and pictures as source of data. The study is guided by Cultural Relativism approach and Semiotics theory. The study found out that architectural designs and decorative symbols are imbued with messages, warnings and advices directed to the society and those outside the society of Matobo to have an understanding about that particular society. These motifs reveal the cosmos, social relations, responsibilities, totems, nature or environment and the history of the producers of art. It is also concluded here that the architectural shapes and decorative motifs tell a story about the artist, the society he/she lives in and can bring out his/her history and life experiences as well as how they interpret the environment they live in. The study recommends that other researchers should also cover and unpack the philosophy of a people embedded on General Dealer Stores and Bottle Stores inscriptions. It also recommends that the responsible ministry should establish initiatives that revitalise the practice of traditional house painting as it reveals more about a people and their philosophy as well as cosmogonies. The study concludes that symbols and designs are means of communication and expressing one’s self. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Dube, Quiet https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3370 Title: An Afrocentric muse on Sis Noe blogspot in ‘counselling’ youths on courtship, marriage and sexual matters in Sunday News Authors: Mlauzi, Jeremiah M. Abstract: The research focuses on an Afrocentric muse on Sis Noe’s blogspot in ‘counseling’ youths on courtship, marriage and sexual matters in Sunday News. It explores how relevant is Sis Noe’s ‘counseling’ role on youths as far as the handling of courtship, marriage and sexual matters is concerned within the African cultural matrix. As such, this study is largely informed by the traditional way of counseling which is rooted in the fecund African philosophy of life in dealing with or transcending life problems. The study is basically qualitative in nature. Data gathering tools considered chief in this study included the semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion and document analysis in acquiring the needed data from the elderly people, the academics in the field of culture, the youths and the Sunday News staff. Afrocentricity theory became imperative to inform arguments and analysis of this study. The research observed that while Sis Noe’s blogspot is playing a crucial role in ‘counseling’ various youths experiencing a number of life challenges that include courtship, marriage and sexual problems amongst others, however, some of the approaches used to handle those problems tend to be Eurocentric and in turn jeopardize the African existential philosophy. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Mlauzi, Jeremiah M.