Zimbabwe's culture as a national culture is trick , since it has a lot of external influence by virtue of its history pre-colonial ,colonial and post colonial era.
Culture is basically the thinking and doing of people. It comparises the dressing styles, art ,history ,craft ,philosophy ,architecture ,customs ,music ,drama ,codes of behaviour eating habits ,transport and language.
Culture is influenced by external and internal factors.It appears to be static ,but because of influenced by environment it is dynamic.
Zimbabwe 's National Cultural Policy objective 14:Promote the African language inorder to make them effective tools in the country's socio-economic development." The African languages found in Zimbabwe are Chishona and its six dialects, Ndebele ,Venda, Tonga and Shangaan. Although there are great strides in promoting African languages in Education system.
English is the still the national language as shown by communication in the press media, electronic media,courts and law,schools and most official functions in government circles.
The fact is that Zimbabwean leaders that are political ,religious and educational are without option because the language gain it memondum since the colonial era and covers the whole nation despite different ethnic groups.
The idea of promoting vernacular language in Zimbabwe can only be done at a ethic community not as national since it can frustrated by modern African elite.
The actual facts to note is that numerous letters used to communicate are from English. To reach a wider audience one has to use English which is by far used to write education books ,stationery ,notices ,road signs into Chishona or Ndebele would be too expensive though nationalistic or patriotic a gesture! The use of any African vernacular is actually unnecessary and wasteful , since English is now not just a language of colonizers ,but also for Zimbabweans.
It is fully part of Zimbabwean culture which the Zimbabweans are actually cherish.
I also noted that the NGOs promoted our ethnic languages as they donate lot of money to print books in local language . SIDA, DFID,USAID ,IRISH AID the list is endless who contributed to promotion of African languages in formal education system.The English language is effectively used to disseminate information and there may have translations if the goal is to succeed.
When it comes to language I want to argue that we should not be over zealous or disproportionately proud of vernacular languages. But we should observe how influencing is our language in communication with others. Today there are so many people who are promoting their language on the internet. They are so many Zimbabweans in diaspora who want to communicate their languages everyday. And they are so many people who may also emulate Zimbabwean culture and want to learn to speak one of the local languages.
Let also learn from those countries colonised by Portugal. These are Mozambique and Angola their experiences where Portuguese has been used to unify the numerous ethnic groups. The Portuguese in these countries is spoken even by those people who never go to school and young children ,unlike in Zimbabwe where you have to go to school to speak and write in English. In Zimbabwean schools pupils are encouraged to communicate in English for better performance in external examinations. Zimbabweans are proud of English as it enhances learning in science and technology which are the hope of mankind to provide solutions in the social challenges and where computer and information technology is dominating.
On the national dress Zimbabwe culture is gradually formulating her own dress code .
Inconclusion I believe that external influences do not destroy a culture .Remember any social civilization develop rapidly through contact with other cultures and select the best in education system.By so doing we will even become more patriotic and honourable in promoting our country's culture and its education.
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