By Rungano Dzikira

In line with Government’s inclusivity policies, Government is set to introduce Chikunda language to augment to the already existing 16 official languages.

The language, (Chikunda) popular in the Mashonaland Central part of the country, becomes the country’s 17th official language, if adopted.

In a statement, the Parliament of Zimbabwe has invited interested persons to attend public hearings at Mwazamtanda Community Hall and Kaitano Clinic, in Mukumbura, on adoption of the language.

“The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services will hold public hearings on the petition to amend section 6 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to include the Chikunda language on 27 July 2020,” reads the statement.

In the past, there has been an outcry that the so-called ‘minority’ languages were not recognised and were playing second fiddle to English, Ndebele and Shona languages, which were then Zimbabwe’s official languages.

According to the Constitution, “The State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level must (a) ensure that all official languages are treated equitably and (b) take into account the language preferences of people affected by governmental measures or communications,” which has prompted this move.

Currently, Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa are the official languages in Zimbabwe.

In an effort to promote minority languages, Government has in the past three years started in-cooperating minority languages in the education curriculum, as well as radio and television broadcasting, through news feed and programing in minority languages.