Imisebe Publishing Celebrates International Mother Language Day 2025 in Style
As the world marked International Mother Language Day 2025, Imisebe Publishing hosted a special event to celebrate this globally recognised day, sanctioned by UNESCO. For the first time, Imisebe introduced Sibitelo Nemisebe to private high schools—an exciting siSwati spelling bee competition that has been successfully running in public schools for the past two years.
This initiative was launched by Imisebe Publishing to promote the use of the siSwati language in the digital era, in partnership with TechnoSol, a leading technology solutions company. The competition aims to integrate language and technology, ensuring that siSwati remains relevant in modern communication.
A Competitive and Educational Event
The one-day Sibitelo Nemisebe tournament brought together seven selected private high schools:
- Enjabulweni Independent School
- Inkhanyeti High School
- Lidvwala High School
- Harolds Academy
- Usuthu Independent School
- Lusundvu Agricultural Academy
- Sifundzani High School
Every word in the competition was sourced from Umphandza, the siSwati monolingual dictionary published by Imisebe Publishing.
The tournament followed a knockout format, making it highly competitive and intense. Sifundzani High School, represented by Temakholo Fakudze and Feziwe Simelane, emerged as the champions after a thrilling final match against Lidvwala High School. Sifundzani secured victory with 55 points, while Lidvwala finished a close second with 50 points.
Encouraging Language Preservation
During her opening remarks, Imisebe Publishing Managing Director Hlob’sile Stromvig expressed gratitude to private schools for embracing this initiative. She provided a brief history of International Mother Language Day, emphasizing the importance of preserving and promoting siSwati. Acknowledging the diverse student populations in private schools, she encouraged all students to learn and appreciate siSwati as part of Eswatini’s cultural heritage.
The keynote address was delivered by Celiwe Mohammed, the Senior Inspector for siSwati. She commended private schools for taking the siSwati language seriously and pledged continued support from the Ministry of Education. She also invited teachers from private schools to participate in annual workshops organized by the Eswatini Siswati Subject Teachers’ Association (ESSTA).
Additionally, Machawe Dlamini, President of ESSTA, praised Imisebe Publishing for its unwavering commitment to the promotion of siSwati education. He highlighted Imisebe’s various initiatives that have significantly contributed to the development of the siSwati subject in Eswatini.
Recognition and Awards
At the end of the competition, Sifundzani High School was awarded a prestigious trophy and gold medals, while Lidvwala High School received silver medals and a runner-up trophy.
Speaking on behalf of the private schools, Lakhe Masondo expressed excitement and appreciation for being included in this year’s Sibitelo Nemisebe. He noted that private schools had often felt overlooked in cultural and educational initiatives but thanked Imisebe Publishing for recognizing their role in preserving siSwati language and culture.
Conclusion
The Sibitelo Nemisebe spelling bee has proven to be more than just a competition—it is a movement that fosters language appreciation, literacy, and cultural pride. As Imisebe Publishing continues its mission, the future of siSwati language education looks brighter than ever.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!