Mother Tongues and Community Resilience: An Interview with Zimbabwe's Emmanuel Hove

 February 21, 2022 was International Mother Tongue Day, a celebration that many did not realize was happening, because it is not talked about often and is perhaps not celebrated everywhere as it should. To celebrate the day is to embrace the linguistic diversity of our world, and to ignore the day is let each other down, to live as if the diversity of our languages, hence our diversity, does not matter. But one small organization in Zimbabwe did not want to let this day go by without being observed: Chisiya Writer's Workshop, an organization of writers physically located in Mazvihwa, Zimbabwe, celebrated the day through an event co-organized with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Midlands Branch. 

The event, titled "International Mother language day presentation", was held as a discussion on the WhatsApp forum of Chisiya Writer's Club. It was facilitated by Emmanuel Hove Mhike and moderated by Pam Kupfavira of the Midlands Branch of NACZ. 

To capture the spirit of the day, I carried out a WhatsApp interview with Emmanuel Hove Mhike, who sheds light on the importance of valuing and using our mother tongues. 

The Interview  

 Thanks for facilitating the Mother tongue day. Why did you think this was an important thing to do?

I think it's high time we focus on promoting mother languages as country and continent. Many people inherited colonial attitudes through our education system, and thus  still underrate their mother languages and glorify the colonial masters' languages. In Africa, in the 21st century, we are finding dealing with conflicts, pandemics, climate change, youth anti-social behaviors and many other critical issues difficult because we are using foreign languages to deal with local problems. It's a responsibility of everyone to creatively find ways to promote discussions on the importance of mother languages in our everyday lives. Many take their mother language for granted and could realize how important it is after such discussions Chisiya Writers' Club  and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe tasked me to facilitate.

 In a world where English is widely spoken, and some of our mothers mainly speak in English, does it matter which language is the mother tongue?

It matters because mother languages carries unique culture values and norms that are vital to the life and survival of a particular group of people. They are circumstances which demand deep understanding of our mother languages to discuss and inspire locally available solutions. Although English is wide spoken, it only facilitates communication among people from different countries and continents. It doesn't inform and clearly explains the natives' way of life or even innovative solutions to their problems.

Based on the forum, does it seem like young or contemporary Zimbabweans writers care  about their mother tongues?

 I was quite impressed on the contemporary Zimbabweans' responses and deep knowledge of the importance of using mother languages. It was clear they really care about mother languages and they bemoan the devaluation of the languages by education system, employment requirements and public figures who always uses English in their speeches on national radios, Tv and social media platforms.  It really shocked me to discover that very young Zimbabweans have intrinsic knowledge on the connection between Language, Culture and Development. This shows that if education policies, public engagements, online engagements and other forums make good use of mother languages we might see a great positive change. 

Your first book, soon to be launched, is in Shona. Given your good command and facility with English, what made you insist on writing the book in Shona?

As a cultural creative, I have always loved everything African and original. My work experience with marginalized Communities has proved to me that only innovative Community-driven solutions will solve local problems. Indigenous knowledge systems, traditional governance systems and home grown solutions are the panacea to a changing climate, pandemics and any other thing that may affect local communities. All these uses mother language as foreign language is used to demonize and discredit these native approaches. My Shona poetry anthology 'Nzungu Dzembeu ' , contains 100 Shona poems that clearly speak of challenges, success stories and solutions facing this generation. I have two anthologies, a Shona and  English one, but I decided to start with the one in my mother language because I am a fan of bottom -up approaches to development. Solutions start from grassroots communities, solutions are hidden in mother languages idioms, phrases and deep words. The organization I work for, Muonde Trust, emphasizes community resilience. The best way to strengthen community resilience is to use mother languages , build on local and indigenous knowledge systems.

Which language do you think Zim-based organizations like Chisiya promote?

Zim-based organizations largely promote English languages. They engage in English, they report in English, everything is published or publicized in English. I think Chisiya Writers'Club is an exception since 80%  of its members are Shona writers and poets, but engagements are usually done in English. In Zimbabwe, many organizations which are on paper named in Shona and their role/ blue prints is of promoting mother languages practically promote English.

 Would you say English can now be considered a mother tongue in Zimbabwe?

It's not correct to say English is now a mother tongue in Zimbabwe, but it's also practically wrong to say Shona is the mother language. There is a great geographical divide on the use of Shona and English languages in Zimbabwe. English is mostly used in urban areas while Shona is mostly used in rural areas. In Zimbabwe's rural areas, it's very rare to hear English greetings, engagements and other communications.

About Emmanuel Hove Mhike

Popularly known as the Prince of Mazvihwa, Emmanuel Hove Mhike is a multi Award winning filmmaker, journalist, youth advocate and development practitioner. Academically, he holds a Master of Arts Degree in Development Studies. Emmanuel is also a well-traveled Arts and Cultural creative. He is a program officer at Chisiya Writers'Club. Also, he is the Brand and band Manager at Mai Patai and the Voice of Prophecy band.