13 Apr 2026

The launch of a Khwedam translation of the Bible is a testament of inclusion of the indigenous languages of Botswana.

Acting President Ndaba Gaolathe said this at the launch of the first-ever Khwedam Bible in Tobera in the Okavango District on April 11.

He said the Khwedam translation was a significant achievement in the safeguarding and promotion of indigenous languages.

The Khwedam native language is one of Khoisan languages spoken by the Khwe people, mainly found in Botswana and other Southern African countries such as Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Angola.

He said the Bible translation would ensure that the Khwe community understood the word of God better from their native language and added that indigenous languages were critical in the celebration of cultural identity and nation building.

Mr Gaolathe said Khwe people would have a voice and would be heard, and that they will also have dignity and will feel that they too belong in Botswana.

He appreciated the Bible Society of Botswana, the Lutheran Translators, the Khwe community and other stakeholders who all played a pivotal role in the Bible project.

According to Bible Society of Botswana chairperson, Ms Tumelo Tlhong, the Khwedam Bible translation project took 18 years to be completed.

Ms Tlhong observed that their organisation spearheaded indigenous languages translations to celebrate the diverse cultures of Botswana and to make the word of God accessible.

The Khwedam Bible, she observed, was part of existing and ongoing local language translations undertaken by the Bible Society of Botswana, including Shekgalagari, Ikalanga, Shiyeyi and sign language.

She thanked the government of Botswana for leveling the playground for the promotion and preservation of indigenous language.

A board member of Lutheran Translators, Reverend Jim Laesch observed that the Khwe people were the first settlers in Botswana and other Southern Africa countries and that it was commendable that they had preserved their language and continued to pass it down from generation to generation.

He said the Khwedam Bible project, that started in 1992, had faced the challenge of non-existence of literature and research in Khwedam language at inception.

He however, said the Luthern Translators managed to reach a milestone in 2010 when some literature, learning materials and some scriptures were written and published, something that gave momentum to the now completed Khwedam Bible.

He said the Bible would help the Khwe people to hear God directly through their first language. ENDS