Controversial preacher Talent Chiwenga has suggested that ZANU PF deliberately and systematically removed people from the Ndebele ethnic group from positions of power since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, to strengthen its control over the country.
In a recent sermon, Chiwenga described the Gukurahundi massacres as a form of genocide, intended to suppress the Ndebele population and tighten the regime’s grip on power. He said:
<blockquote>
If the population dynamics in Zimbabwe were such that the Ndebeles outnumbered the Shonas, Zanu PF could not have lasted more than 10 years in power. Yes.
The reason why Zanu PF has stayed this long in power, it is because they elbowed the Ndebeles out of the structures of governance and tried to control the population of the Ndebeles that they should not increase.
The Gukurahundi genocide was strategic. They wanted to reduce the number of men who could give birth to children. They wanted to control the population growth of the Ndebeles. Because Mugabe and his cronies knew that Shonas are cowards, then the Ndebeles are warriors.
</blockquote>
Gukurahundi refers to a series of violent political events that took place in Zimbabwe between 1983 and 1987, primarily in the Matabeleland and Midlands regions.
The term “Gukurahundi” is derived from a Shona word meaning “the early rain that washes away the chaff before the spring rains,” symbolising the violent purge that took place during this period.
Chiwenga asserted that the Shona people are cowards, and it is this perceived cowardice that has allowed ZANU PF to maintain its hold on power for the past 45 years. He said:
<blockquote>
If we take the Ndebeles from Bulawayo, put them in Harare, take the Shonas in Harare, put them in Bulawayo. It won’t take three years. Zanu PF will be out of power in terms of the population.
If we had the same number of Ndebeles as the Shonas in Harare, it wouldn’t take three years to remove Zanu PF. Shonas are cowards.
This is why we didn’t fight the British colonial rule. We joined the Ndebeles. Yes. It’s the Ndebeles who resisted the white men.
</blockquote>
To support his claim that the Shonas are cowards and the Ndebeles are “brave,” Chiwenga pointed to the First Chimurenga of 1896/97, where the Ndebeles led an uprising against British colonial rule before the Shona later joined the struggle. He said:
<blockquote>
You don’t know your history, go and find out. Ask them who was in the Anglo-Ndebele war. Who started the First Chimurenga? It’s not the Shonas. It’s not Zanu. They were lying to us. History is there. Some of us, we read. And so we know what is true and what is not true. The point is, Andrew Wutaunashe is a fool.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Controversial preacher Talent Chiwenga said ZANU PF removed Ndebele people from power to stay in control. He called Shonas cowards and Ndebeles warriors. He mentioned the Gukurahundi massacres as a way to control Ndebele population. Chiwenga said if Ndebeles were in power, ZANU PF would not last long. He also talked about the First Chimurenga, where Ndebeles fought against British rule before Shonas joined. Chiwenga thinks Shonas are cowardly and Ndebeles are brave. He believes Shonas allowed ZANU PF to stay in power because of their cowardice.

Controversial Preacher Talent Chiwenga Says "Shonas Are Cowards"

Chaos erupted at Phakamani High School in Plumtree, Matabeleland South Province on Friday as students challenged their teacher during a heritage studies lesson.
The female teacher was discussing the hierarchy of languages and cultures and said that Shona was the most recognised language in the country.
However, the students disagreed and said the Constitution equally recognises all 16 national languages.
The teacher had said, “In Zimbabwe, we have 16 languages, with Shona being the first language,” which sparked fury among the learners.
In response to inquiries from <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200037808/chaos-in-class-in-plumtree-as-learners-clash-with-teacher">Southern Eye</a>, Taungana Ndoro, spokesperson for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, confirmed on Monday that the government’s Heritage-Based Curriculum recognises all 16 national languages, including Sign Language. Said Ndoro:
<blockquote>
Besides, no language is compulsory, even English is not compulsory. Therefore, the allegations do not represent the government’s position and we are going to send a team to the school to investigate.
</blockquote>
Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) leader Mqondisi Moyo said students have the right to protest against the marginalisation of their language and culture. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
I applaud the learners for knowing their right to their language and culture and resisting the imposition of other people’s language and culture on them.
What happened at the school was a significant event marking a pivotal moment in the struggle for cultural preservation and educational equality.
Tribal egotism can hinder national unity, social cohesion and inclusive development and can hinder Matabeleland learners’ education and cultural heritage by imposing a dominant culture and language, marginalising or erasing Ndebele and other local languages, histories and cultural practices and limiting access to education and resources to other tribes.
</blockquote>

Students at Phakamani High School in Plumtree, Zimbabwe got upset when their teacher said Shona was the most important language. They said all 16 national languages are equally recognized. The government agrees and says no language is compulsory. The Mthwakazi Republic Party leader supports the students' protest against the marginalization of their language and culture. He says everyone should have the right to their own language and culture. It's important to preserve different cultures and languages to have a united and fair society.

Plumtree Students Challenge Teacher's Remarks On Shona Language

Google Speech, in collaboration with the AI Research Center in Accra, Ghana, has launched Voice Search, talk-to-type on Gboard, and voice input on Translate for 15 additional African languages, reported <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/technology/mobile-apps/15-new-african-languages-added-on-googles-services-b568308f-725b-4296-85fe-0e8b326593a9">IOL</a>.
The newly supported languages include Chichewa, Hausa, Igbo, Kikuyu, Nigerian Pidgin, Oromo, Rundi, Shona, Somali, Tigrinya, Twi, South Ndebele, Swati, Tswana, and Yoruba.
This expansion increases the total number of African languages with voice support to 25, and the total number of languages globally to 94.
The introduction of voice input in these languages enhances digital accessibility for approximately 300 million people across Africa, allowing them to interact with the web and communicate more naturally using their voices.
In Ethiopia, the addition of Oromo and Tigrinya enables over 85 million people—nearly 70% of the population—to use voice typing, searching, and translating on Google.
Kenya’s Kikuyu language now joins Swahili in Gboard and Voice Search, expanding language options for users.
Chichewa for Malawi and Shona for Zimbabwe are now supported, benefiting around 65% of Malawi’s population and approximately 12 million Shona speakers.
Voice input for Tswana, South Ndebele, and Swati has been added, enhancing connectivity for communities in Botswana, South Africa, and Eswatini.
In West Africa, Twi, along with four major languages from Nigeria—Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Nigerian Pidgin—has been integrated, serving an estimated 129 million speakers in Nigeria.
This expansion reflects Google’s commitment to developing technology that increases access for Africans, supported by its Product Development Center in Nairobi and its AI Research Center in Accra.
Alex Okosi, Managing Director of Google Africa, said the new technology will benefit over 300 million people across the continent by allowing voice interaction with the web.
He said this is part of Google’s efforts to develop technology for Africans and the world.
Matt Brittin, Google’s President for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, asserted that the upcoming decade will be “Africa’s digital decade,” with more than half the population accessing the Internet for the first time. 
Brittin said Extending Voice Search, voice typing on Gboard, and voice input on Translate to 300 million Africans is a significant milestone in Google’s mission to organize and make information universally accessible and useful
African languages that were already on Voice Search and Gboard talk-to-type include Amharic, Afrikaans, Kinyarwanda, Sepedi, Sesotho, South Ndebele, Swahili, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu.
African languages with voice input already available on Translate include Afrikaans, Amharic, Kinyarwanda, Sepedi, Sesotho, Swahili, Tsonga, Xhosa, and Zulu.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Google has added voice search and typing in 15 additional African languages, like Shona and Igbo. This helps about 300 million people in Africa use the internet more easily. The languages added include Chichewa, Hausa, Igbo, Kikuyu, Somali, and more. This means now there are 25 African languages and 94 languages globally with voice support on Google. This move shows Google's commitment to helping Africans access technology. This will benefit people in countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Google wants to make information accessible to everyone, especially as more Africans get online in the next few years.

Shona, 14 Other African Languages Added On Google’s Services

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reappointed Bubi MP Simelisizwe Sibanda as the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
In a statement issued this Wednesday, 31 July, the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, said the appointment is effective immediately.
Rushwaya said that President Mnangagwa pardoned Sibanda following representations, profuse apologies, and Sibanda’s undertakings to refrain from similar wrongdoings in the future.
However, Rushwaya did not specify what Sibanda had apologised for or the nature of the behaviour he promised to avoid going forward. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Following representations, profuse apologies and undertakings to refrain from similar misdemeanours in future, His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has decided that Hon. Simelisizwe Sibanda be pardoned.
Accordingly, His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has in terms of subsection 2 of Section 104 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, appointed Hon. Simelisizwe Sibanda M.P. as the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
The appointment is with immediate effect.
</blockquote>
Sibanda was fired on 01 July 2024 after demanding the transfer of early childhood development (ECD) teacher, Winnet Mharadze from Clonmore Primary School in Bubi Constituency, allegedly for not being proficient in the local language, Ndebele.
The ZANU PF MP had gone to donate uniforms to learners at the school, 55 km out of Bulawayo, off Harare Road near Gloag High School on June 24, 2024.
During a meeting attended by teachers, parents and hundreds of learners, Sibanda asked Mharadze why she was in Matabeleland and tested her by asking her what “uqethu” is.
As reported by <a href="https://cite.org.zw/outrage-as-dep-minister-fired-over-support-for-indigenous-languages/">CITE</a>, uqethu means grass, and it is part of a common tongue twister among IsiNdebele speakers that goes “Qum’ qethu, ‘gecu ‘qethu,” which simply means cut the grass.
This was not the first instance of Sibanda criticizing Shona teachers in Bubi. Reports indicate that Bubi District education officials alleged the MP stirred controversy previously at Mbembeswana 1 Primary, where he also reprimanded Shona teachers who could not speak the local language.
In 2016, then Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora said that infant classes (ECD to Grade Two) in the country must be taught in indigenous languages.
Zimbabwe’s Constitution also recognises 16 languages, while a 2018 policy mandates student teachers to learn three local languages beyond their own.
 On 02 July, Sibanda issued an apology for publicly criticising the ECD teacher, saying he took “full responsibility” for his actions. He said:
<blockquote>
PUBLIC APOLOGY TO THE NATION OF ZIMBABWE BY HONOURABLE SIMELISIZWE SIBANDA 
2nd of July 2024
I, Honourable Simelisizwe Sibanda, former Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, do hereby express my sincere apologies for the concerns arising from my recent actions.
I understand that my approach to addressing the issue of a teacher’s language proficiency was misguided and inappropriate, leading to perceptions of tribalism.
I want to assure the public and especially the teachers that my intention was solely to ensure that our children receive quality education, and I was concerned about the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with her students.
However, as a national leader, I should have addressed this issue through appropriate channels, avoiding public platforms that may have fueled the tribal connotations.
I take full responsibility for my actions and acknowledge that my approach was wrong. I understand that my actions may have perpetuated tribal divisions, and for that, I truly apologise to the whole teaching fraternity and nation at large.
I want to assure the public that my commitment to our nation’s unity and development has always been genuine.
I want to express my gratitude to the public, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, for supporting me during my tenure. I appreciate the opportunity to have served and contributed to the development of our education sector.
I also want to extend my apologies to all the leadership and members of my Party ZANU PF. I understand the party’s values of unity and inclusivity, and I regret any harm caused by my lack of judgment.
I hope that the party and its members will accept my sincere apologies and recognize my commitment to our nation’s progress.
I would like to thank His Excellency, the President CDE Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to serve within the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development, and regret that I have let him down.
Finally, I remain committed to the nation’s progress under the leadership of our visionary leadership of His Excellency CDE Dr E.D Munangagwa as we consolidate the gains we have made as we pursue Vision 2030.
I hope that the public will accept my sincere apologies and recognize my commitment to our nation’s unity and progress. I am committed to learning from this experience and growing as a leader.
I thank you all.
Sincerely,
Honourable Simelisizwe Sibanda,
Former Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

President Emmerson Mnangagwa reappointed Simelisizwe Sibanda as Deputy Minister of Higher Education. Sibanda was originally fired for criticizing a teacher's language skills. He apologized for his actions and promised not to repeat them. The President forgave him and gave him his job back. Sibanda now needs to work better with others and show respect. It is important for leaders to set good examples and work together for the country's progress.

Mnangagwa Reappoints Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda

A South African opposition political party, the Patriotic Alliance (PA), on Monday staged a protest at Esikhisini Primary School in Pretoria, Atteridgeville for teaching the Shona language, reported <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/watch-south-african-activists-stage-demonstration-against-school-teaching-shona-language-demand-expulsion-of-zimbabwean-learners/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>.
The Esikhisini Primary School Governing Board chairperson is a Zimbabwean national, while Zimbabweans reportedly constitute 20% of the school’s enrolment.
PA’s deputy president Kenny Kunene, demanded that South Africans be prioritised first and called for the expulsion of Zimbabwean learners. Said Kunene:
<blockquote>
The school has applied to the Department of Education to introduce Shona language instruction.
We spoke with the principal, Mr Nkabinde, who claims he hasn’t applied for Shona instruction, but our information suggests that the SGB chairperson, who is Zimbabwean, is working with the department to introduce Shona.
This is a public school. Shona is not part of the curriculum. We understand that the department is considering this proposal.
We’re here to express our anger and dissatisfaction with what they’re trying to impose on our communities.
There are South African parents with young children who are unable to enrol in our schools because children of foreign nationals have been admitted.
Our members will conduct door-to-door visits here to determine if any parent has been rejected from the school so that we can admit their child here.
The principal should replace a Zimbabwean with a South African.
</blockquote>
In November 2023, South Africa’s statistician-general Risenga Maluleke said Limpopo Province had a new language that was not captured in the census of 2011.
Presenting the 2022 census report to Premier Stanley Mathabatha in Polokwane, Risenga noted that the province had Shona as a language.
He said Shona was spoken in 28 000 households, in a province with 6.6 million.
South Africa holds general elections later this year and fringe far-right political parties have targetted their ire on foreigners in a bid to woo voters.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Activists Protest Against Teaching Of Shona Language At A School In South Africa

Plawn Motors, a renowned automotive company, has apologised for an allegedly discriminatory job advertisement for a post in Bulawayo (a predominantly Ndebele-speaking community) that stated that applicants should be fluent in Shona.
The company’s recent advert for a bike messenger stated that individuals interested in the job should be fluent in both Shona and English.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GD4zDcMXQAEdmQr?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>
This sparked outrage and accusations of tribalism, prompting Plawn Motors to issue a public apology, saying there was an “oversight” in the recruitment post. It said:
<blockquote>
We sincerely apologize for an error in our recent post seeking a proficient Shona and English speaker for a delivery position in Bulawayo and surrounding areas.
We understand that this appeared insensitive and discriminatory towards Ndebele speakers, and we deeply regret any offence caused.
It was an unintentional assumption on our part that by hiring a local (Bulawayo-based) person, they would also be a Ndebele speaker. That is a wrong assumption indeed.
We acknowledged that being conversant in English and Shona would be an additional advantage, catering to a wider range of clients.
However, the wording of the post unintentionally hinted at a preference for Shona speakers, and we regret that oversight.
We value diversity and inclusivity and recognize the importance of clear and inclusive communication in our recruitment practices.
We are committed to doing better and will implement more thorough verification procedures in the future to avoid such mistakes.
We again apologise for this error and look forward to receiving applications from all qualified members of Bulawayo and surrounding areas.
We are confident that we will find the perfect candidate for our team.
</blockquote>
Journalist Nqaba Matshazi seemed to suggest that the wording of the apology was worse than the advert that offended the Bulawayo community. He posted on X: “I don’t know what’s worse, the advert or the apology?”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Plawn Motors Apologises Over A Bulawayo Job Advert For Shona-speakers

The Mestaria Gallery in Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, will be showcasing a collection of traditional Zimbabwean sculptures by contemporary artists in their new exhibition “The Shona Collective”.
The Shona Collective exhibition will be running from January 27 until February 17, 2023.
The exhibition will showcase the work of nine Zimbabwean artists from their atelier, The Shona Collective.
The artists are David White, Bywell Sango, Gregory Mutasa, Tawanda Makore, Royal Katiyo, Leonard Sezhendo, Lovemore Bonjisi, Witness Bonjisi, and Dominic Benhura.
Speaking to The National, the Shona Collective founder, Demitris Petrides, said:
<blockquote>
I am excited to show the world how the third generation of Shona sculptors has transformed into producing more modern works with new types of stones that can only be found in Zimbabwe.
… I am a strong believer that every single piece will find its predestined owner.
</blockquote>
The Shona art style is a centuries-old stone sculpting tradition of the Shona, with the skills and techniques passed down within families from one generation to the next.
The sculptors used only a hammer and chisel to carve stone.
They all work with the same materials which include the hardest varieties of serpentine gemstones such as springstone, fruit serpentine and leopard rock. | <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/art-design/2023/01/16/zimbabwean-artists-to-showcase-centuries-old-shona-stone-sculpting-art-in-dubai/">The National</a>

Zimbabwean Artists To Showcase Shona Stone Sculpting Art In Dubai

Police in South Africa’s North West have arrested a 38-year-old suspected serial rapist who allegedly targeted Shona-speaking Zimbabwean women.
The man reportedly used Facebook to lure more than 15 women by advertising jobs and would then rape and rob them when they arrived at the rendezvous.
Police spokesperson Colonel Adele Myburgh said the man was arrested on Tuesday after police received information about his whereabouts.
Myburgh revealed that one of the cases was reported in Potchefstroom on 9 September 2021. She said:
<blockquote>
A 27-year-old woman, who was allegedly scheduled to meet a lady who promised her a job via WhatsApp, arrived at a shopping centre close to the taxi rank in Potchefstroom.
The woman, who was from Johannesburg, met with a man as arranged by the lady she had been communicating with. She and the man boarded a taxi and alighted at Extension 11, Ikageng.
The man allegedly took the woman to a bushy and secluded place next to the N12, where she was ultimately overpowered, strangled, raped and robbed of her personal property.
</blockquote>
More than 15 rapes, all with the same method, had been reported between September 2021 and October 2022, added Myburgh.
She said the man was arrested at a house in Alabama, close to Klerksdorp.
The man was found with a knife and various cellphone sim cards, which police seized. Said Myburgh:
<blockquote>
The team then proceeded to the suspect’s residence in Jouberton, Extension 11, where 11 bags full of ladies’ clothes (suspected to be belonging to victims) and eight cell phones were found. More sim cards were also seized.
</blockquote>
The man appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Thursday charged with several charges of kidnapping, rape, and robbery.
He was remanded in custody and will appear in court again on 1 November. | <a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/cops-arrest-alleged-serial-rapist-who-used-facebook-to-lure-zim-women-looking-for-jobs-20221021">News24</a>

SA Police Arrest Serial Rapist Who Targeted Shona-speaking Women

CCC has accused some unnamed councillors of pushing a tribal agenda in the recent recall of former City of Bulawayo deputy mayor, Ward 3 councillor, Tinashe Kambarami.
Kambarami was recalled by Bulawayo City Council (BCC) last week by the MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora.
MDC-T said Kambarami had “ceased to be a member of the party,” as he was openly supporting CCC led by Nelson Chamisa.
CCC interim Bulawayo provincial spokesperson, Swithern Chirowodza, told <a href="https://cite.org.zw/ccc-questions-kambaramis-recall/">CITE</a> that some councillors are using tribalism as a ruse to hide corruption within the city council. He said:
<blockquote>
Not only is Kambarami’s recall a continuation of the removal by Mwonzora of cadres who supported Chamisa at the rigged 2014 MDC-T Congress, Kambarami’s removal from council is motivated by tribalism where his rivals allege, he is Shona and are using that to cover corruption taking place within council.
In order to obscure these critical issues a few individuals have been roped in to centre-stage tribal issues so that the world mistakenly thinks that Kambarami is of Shona extraction and that being such is a crime.
The truth of the matter is that Kambarami is not even Shona. Corruption and bad service delivery at BCC have nothing to do with one’s tribe because no one chooses their identity.
Kambarami is not Shona. And, even if it was, that would still be no justification to recall because no one chooses their tribe or language at birth.
It is assuring that the beleaguered Kambarami, who was born at Pelandaba Clinic in Bulawayo, now has to turn to an electorate that has remained steadfast in its support for his candidature and more so divorced from Mwonzora’s leadership.
</blockquote>
Political analyst Patrick Ndlovu argued that Kambarami’s recall had nothing to do with tribalism because Mwonzora, who signed his recall letter was of Shona extraction. Said Ndlovu:
<blockquote>
It’s not the people or ward that recalled Kambarami but the president of the party, who said he was no longer a party member.
Whatever is being said about Kambarami does not subtract that he was not part of the membership of the party he was elected under.
</blockquote>

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