https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4820 2026-04-17T20:47:47Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6263 Title: Typification of democracy in ancient Shona society: a paremiological perspective Authors: Allan Tapiwa Maganga; Charles Tembo Abstract: This article is an exegesis of democracy as it manifests in the Shona people’s selected proverbial philosophy and collective thought. It argues that, contrary to the peddled cultural prejudices and Eurocentric condescending attitudes that portray African/Shona traditional leadership as monarchical and autocratic, this society had an analogue of democratic governance system, as an established tradition. Through proverbs, a collective and engaging dialogue with chiefs and their subjects gently reminded stakeholders of their responsibilities. The article avers that vivid insights of the Shona people’s cultural norms and values exude that they had a firm, genius, significant and sustainable democracy in both theory and praxis. Furthermore, the Shona people’s linguistic treasures unraveled in this analysis, typify that they have a rich oral heritage which functions as part and parcel of their history, to be exploited also by the contemporary and future generations. Shona proverbs, as this article further argues, are oral archival material worthy re-engaging for they do not only reflect the Shona people’s democratic worldview but also act as a valid, reliable and rich linguistic transcript of their traditional leadership from the classical past. The intellectual pedestals adopted in this study are sankofa and nommoic creativity. 2024-08-29T00:00:00Z Allan Tapiwa Maganga Charles Tembo https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5859 Title: COVID-19, kovhidhi, dzihwamupengo: Language use, language change, and pandemic perceptions among Shona-speakers in Gweru, Zimbabwe Authors: Vincent Jenjekwa Abstract: Through an examination of the linguistic practices encountered and used by Shona language-speakers in the Zimbabwean city of Gweru, this study explores intersections between language use, language change, and perceptions of the COVID pandemic—as caused by the virus referred to by Gweru’s Shona-speakers as, variously, “COVID-19” in its English-language representation or “kovhidhi” or “dzihwamupengo” in its two most common Shona-language representations. The study is anchored in conceptions of the impacts that natural disasters and pandemics have on language and on communication needs, and in theories of semiotics and language change. The research finds that the predominant terms used by Gweru’s Shona-speakers in relation to the pandemic carry connotations that, in the Zimbabwean socio-cultural context, potentially undermine optimal responses to the pandemic. The article concludes by emphasising the importance of careful management of language as a critical resource in the fight against natural disasters and pandemics. 2023-06-30T00:00:00Z Vincent Jenjekwa https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5703 Title: Designing textbooks for an indigenous language: The case of Nambya Authors: Mthokozisi Moyo Abstract: This article outlines the steps involved in writing secondary learners’ textbooks from the vantage point of the authors and publishers. It unpacks the technicalities, merits, and demerits of team-authoring of materials in the context of revitalisation of indigenous languages within Zimbabwe’s education system. The main focus is on the technical steps involved in the compilation and design of the textbook series. It evaluates the approaches that were used in the development of the Nambya textbooks in light of informing practice in subsequent future works by the same group or others. 2022-07-17T00:00:00Z Mthokozisi Moyo https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5405 Title: Experiences and Challenges in Pioneering the Teaching and Learning of Formerly Marginalised Indigenous Languages: The Case of Nambya at the Great Zimbabwe University Authors: Adrian Mafa Phiri Abstract: This research article explores the experiences and challenges encountered by pioneer Bachelor of Education Degree students and lecturers of the Nambya language at the Great Zimbabwe University. The introduction of Nambya at the great Zimbabwe University was like navigating uncharted territory since this was the first time ever the language was being offered by any institution of higher learning and more interestingly, the Nambya language was used as the language of instruction. The research adopts qualitative research methods. The data were collected from a sample of graduates who majored in the Nambya language as well as their lecturers. The data were grouped into themes for ease of analysis. The major themes that emerged from the study relate to the availability of literary material, terminology, the language of instruction, lecturer qualification and competence as well as the relevance of modules. 2022-04-01T00:00:00Z Adrian Mafa Phiri