Imisebe Publishing Company, the first wholly-owned Swati publisher, announced during the commemoration of the International Mother Language Day that they would be hosting an online siSwati spelling competition in collaboration with Technosol, a technology company based in Eswatini. The event was held at Maguga Lodge and graced by the presence of Dr Mafika Lubisi, a language scholar and activist, who called upon governments to prioritize the promotion and protection of indigenous languages. The event drew big players in the country’s education sector, including the Chairperson of the siSwati Board, Inkhosikati Make LaKhumalo, CEO of the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture, Stanley Dlamini, Hhohho Regional Education Officer, Thulisile Langwenya, senior Inspector of siSwati Language, Celiwe Mohammed, and Acting Director of National Library services, Dudu Kunene. During the event, it was highlighted that pupils learn better when taught in their mother tongue. Imisebe Managing Director Hlobsile Stromvig thanked UNESCO for their undivided focus on promoting the mother language and remarked that a mother language enhances the culture of a people.

There are growing calls to use siSwati as an instructional medium at all levels of education in Eswatini. Proponents of this approach believe that pupils would fare better if instructed in their mother tongue. During the International Mother Language Day event, the calls for recognition of the mother tongue became even louder. The day is celebrated every February of each year around the world, under the stewardship of UNESCO. This year’s theme is “Multilingual education: a necessity to transform education.”

The Ministry of Education and Training expressed its support for the competition, believing that such initiatives added value to the ministry’s mandate. Hhohho Regional Education Officer, Thulisile Langwenya, highlighted that everyone should put effort into promoting siSwati, and called upon retirees to utilize their expertise in promoting the language. Imisebe Managing Director, Hlobsile Stromvig, noted that the competition was sanctioned by UNESCO and remarked that a mother language enhanced the culture of a people. She thanked all spheres of education in the country for their support in promoting the language.