Shona, Ndebele Highway Code Launched
The government has translated the Highway Code into Shona and Ndebele, and printed copies are available at a cost of US$5 each or the equivalent in local currency.
The government is working on translating the highway code into the remaining 13 other official languages, that is, Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Khoisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, Sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa.
Until now the Highway Code was available only in English. The two editions were then launched on Thursday by Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) chairperson Kura Sibanda in Harare.
Speaking during the ceremony, Sibanda said the Highway Code was translated and published in Shona and Ndebele to include everyone in the learning process of road rules and regulations. Said Sibanda:
It is with utmost satisfaction that I announce to you today that we have completed the process of converting the English Highway Code to Shona and Ndebele versions.
The establishment of Shona and Ndebele version of the Highway Code became a very important factor on the council’s agenda as it was aimed at incorporating everyone in the learning process of the rules and regulations of the road.
The conversion of this code enabled us to work within the parameters of the National Development Strategy 1 of inclusivity where nobody should be left behind.
We must work harder to reverse the tide and preserve human lives on our roads. Through a collaborative effort, we can find new and creative ways to make decisive interventions in this regard.
We simply cannot continue using the same tactics that have not worked in the past, hoping to achieve different results.
Hence, we embrace the coming in of this innovation of translating the Highway Code into various languages.
The Greater Harare Association of Commuter Omnibus Operators (GHACOO) welcomed the development. GHACOO vice chairperson Caleb Dominic Bepeta said:
The launch of the Highway Code in the vernacular languages of Shona and Ndebele is also a momentous occasion for which we applaud TSCZ and the ministry for achieving.
Our drivers are critical and their learning tools need to be available in languages they will understand as this will also assist us in achieving the World Health Organisation decade of action.
More: The Herald
