08 Oct 2026

 University of Botswana senior lecturer, Dr Naledi Kgolo-Lotshwao is on a mission to keep Setswana alive through literacy and literature, particularly among young learners.

Through her three-month literacy and literature campaign, Somarela Setswana, Dr Kgolo-Lotshwao seeks to promote Setswana literacy and encouraging children, families, schools and communities to embrace Setswana books.

The campaign started at private schools, with plans to expand to government schools through the Ministry of Basic Education and Child Welfare.

Already, Dr Kgolo-Lotshwao, a linguist and author, has published four books: Lewa le le Lentle, Loeto lwa ga Lobone go ya Morakeng, Ithute Kgomo and Learn Setswana-Ithute Setswana.

Lewa le le Lentle, inspired by Dr Kgolo-Lotshwao’s love for stars, supports early childhood language development, vocabulary and comprehension, while encouraging children to view reading as an enjoyable activity.

Loeto lwa ga Lobone go ya Morakeng gives readers insight into the traditional Setswana way of life away from the busy city lights and buzz. The book setting encourages learning about family life, domestic animals, visiting parents and traditional ways of living.

Ithute Kgomo introduces children to cattle from an early age and encourages appreciation of the role and importance of kgomo in the lives and culture of Batswana.

The fourth book, Learn Setswana-Ithute Setswana, provides a practical entry point for learners and other users who are not proficient in Setswana, including foreigners interested in learning the language.

Written in English, the book teaches Setswana through simplified grammar explanations and vocabulary covering everyday items and situations.

Dr Kgolo-Lotshwao said in producing the books, she worked with creatives and graphic designers to ensure that the illustrations accurately captured the sequence, settings and Setswana way of life.

She said she deliberately avoided using artificial intelligence-generated images because they appeared too smooth and foreign and did not adequately reflect Setswana culture and ways of life.

“I used graphic designers who understand the Setswana way of life to illustrate the pictures,” she said. ENDS