Nambya is one of Zimbabwe’s 16 official languages, as recognised in the 2013 Constitution, and is taught in both primary and secondary schools in the district.
In the National Assembly, Bonda asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Edgar Moyo, to explain why trained Nambya-speaking teachers are not being employed in Hwange District, while non-speakers continue to be posted there.
He said this practice was “depriving children of instruction in their mother tongue at the early education stage”, which he described as crucial for both academic performance and cultural development.
Parents in the district also say the issue is affecting children’s performance in school.
“Our children are disadvantaged from the start,” said Ester Ncube, a parent in Jambezi under Chief Shana.
“If a child cannot understand the teacher in Grade One, it affects everything that follows,” she added.
“Language is part of who we are,” said local elder Eliziya Vashe Shoko. “If schools do not teach in Nambya, we are slowly losing our identity. Government must take this seriously.”
Lindiwe Sibanda, a recent graduate, argued that there are trained teachers who speak Nambya, Lozvi, Chidombe and other local languages, but they are not being deployed in the area.
“At the same time, teachers from outside are brought in. It does not make sense. These languages should be prioritised so that communities feel a sense of belonging and respect,” said Shoko.
Under Zimbabwe’s language policy framework, learners are expected to be taught in their mother tongue during the early grades.