11 Jan 2022

First phase of the introduction of indigenous languages as medium of instruction in primary schools is expected to start in June.

Tati West Member of Parliament, Mr Simon Moabi told residents of Gungwe and Gambule in the North East District during a kgotla meeting on Monday that initially the exercise was scheduled to commence in January, but since it was a new development, there were few things that needed to be addressed.  

Mr Moabi explained that Ikalanga, as one of the indigenous languages spoken in the North East District, had been included as a medium of instruction in primary schools.

The 11 languages being Sheyeyi, ThiMbukushu, Ikalanga, Shegkalagari, Chikuhane (Sesubiya), IsiNdebele, Afrikaans, Naro (Sesarwa), Shona, Otjiherero and Sign Language are part of government’s efforts to reform education and promote language development as well as quality education that is accessible, equitable and relevant to all learners.

Mr Moabi emphasised that research had shown that pupils tended to grasp concepts quickly when taught in their mother tongue.

He also informed the residents that government decided to suspend implementation of Constituency Development Fund in the current financial year as the funds were channelled towards the COVID-19 fight.

He, however, promised that once funds were made available, projects would be assessed for implementation according to their priority.

He acknowledged that the programme was handy as it assisted to fast track planned projects, citing Gungwe kgotla shelter.

He said it also stimulated local economic development and created employment.

Mr Moabi appealed to the village youth to apply for residential plots saying record shows that only 62 people applied for residential plots since the last allocation in 2013.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Sonnyboy Buka of Gungwe talked about the growing human-wildlife conflict in his village.

He said the elephants were a threat to their fields, especially during the ploughing season.

Kgosi Buka said the current compensation measure for elephant crop damage was meagre compared to their input on farming.

He also appealed for the upgrading of the village kgotla to match the village population, which he said had grown over the years.

The resident concurred with their kgosi as they underscored the need to upgrade the kgotla status and to increase the number of nurses at the health post.

They also requested for the regular maintenance of Zwenshambe-Gungwe-Mbalambi-Sekakangwe-Kalamani gravel road.

This, they said, also applied to Gungwe-Gambule-Masunga gravel road, which also required regular maintenance.

Responding to health issues, nursing superintendent, Ms Stella Morapedi said there was shortage of nurses in the whole of North East District.

She explained that all the 24 health posts in the district were manned by two nurses, saying service provision became difficult when one was on leave or had to take day offs.

Ms Morapedi said shortage of nurses was also exacerbated by the fact that most of them were on isolation due to COVID-19.

At Gambule, residents told Mr Moabi that their village was lagging behind in developments although Gambule was one of the oldest villages in the district.

The Member of Parliament  promised the residents that gravel roads connecting nearby villages would be maintained on regular basis for easy access.

He also appealed to residents to put aside their political affiliations and contribute to the review. ends