02 Oct 2025

Botswana Television and Radio Botswana on September 29  started to broadcast news bulletins in four more indigenous languages; iKalanga, Naro, Shekgalagari and Sheyei, a progressive development that has been hailed for promoting inclusivity and national unity.

The milestone, was launched by President Advocate Duma Boko in Gaborone on the eve of Botswana’s 59^th independence. The President noted that indigenous language inclusivity was a crucial step toward sustainable and equitable development as it served as a vital tool for community empowerment and social cohesion.

Indigenous language inclusivity is important for upholding human rights, preserving cultural heritage and empowering communities by fostering identity, well-being and access to education and governance, he said adding that the introduction of the four languages was a start and such would give Batswana an opportunity to learn each other’s languages as well as heritages.

He said more languages would be introduced in the national broadcast and all languages should be equally recognised. Additionally, he said the launch meant more job creation, with translators, linguists, producers and news anchors, among others, from the indigenous people of the launched languages.

President Boko said it was also important to introduce indigenous language in the curriculum for seamless and improved learning. “Language inclusivity in education positively impacts indigenous students’ learning, engagement and overall well-being,” he said.

He said such a step could be a turning point for Botswana’s human development as it would contribute to societal progress and decolonisation. He added that language inclusivity was recognised as crucial for the socio-economic development of countries, something which was evident in developed economies such as China, who used their indigenous languages in their curriculum.

Furthermore, the President said indigenous people should have a sense of belonging as the rest of Batswana, particularly when they sang their National Anthem. He said they could only do so when their languages were recognised and acknowledged.

“The National Anthem embodies unity for all Batswana and by recognising each tribe’s language we are upholding what our National Anthem is symbolising,” said President Boko.

From now onwards, he said the National Anthem would bring a sense of pride to the indigenous people and would strengthen their sense of belonging, identity and self-worth as Batswana.

For his part, Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa said the introduction of indigenous languages not only to the news bulletin was a fulfilment of government’s constitutional duty to reflect and serve the whole nation. Mr Mohwasa said such a development was a nation-building of the highest order.

“We often speak of unity in the language, but unity is not a uniformity. Unity in Botswana must always be rooted in respect for difference. This development is a true promise of independence, in a country where every citizen is valued, respected and no voice is left behind,” he said. ENDS