TARISIRO Fundira, a Zimbabwean living in the Diaspora said he and his wife came up with an initiative called Learn Zimbabwe with the aim to preserve the language and culture of Zimbabweans.
“Learn Zimbabwe was born from the inspiration of our future son. As my wife and I discussed our desire to preserve our language, culture, and traditions while living in the Diaspora, we realised that many others faced the same challenge.
“This realisation led us to create a community called 'Learn Zimbabwe,' which provides people both within and outside Zimbabwe with the opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Zimbabwean culture, language, and traditions. Our aim is to not only connect with our roots and foster a sense of pride in our Zimbabwean identity but also to ensure that future generations cherish and remember their heritage. Join us on this journey of discovery and celebration,” he said.
The initiative uses music and animated videos for learners to grasp the local languages.
“It is widely recognised that songs have a remarkable ability to stick in our minds far more easily than anything we read in a book or hear from someone else. So, why not harness this power to introduce children to the beauty of Zimbabwean languages and demonstrate that speaking Shona or Ndebele is not only important but also incredibly cool.
“By leveraging the captivating influence of music, we can engage young minds and provide them with relatable role models from the black Zimbabwean community such as Ishan or Natasha Muz and the synergy between our shared vision and Ishan's artistic prowess is a testament to the power of collaboration, where the essence of Learn Zimbabwe comes alive through his soulful melodies and captivating lyrics. Through catchy tunes and empowering lyrics, we aim to inspire a sense of pride in their heritage and foster a deep connection to Zimbabwean culture. Let's embrace the magic of music as a tool to teach, entertain, and empower our children, ensuring that they carry their linguistic and cultural roots with them on their journey to self-discovery,” he said.
Fundira is a civil engineer working at the renowned international management engineering and development consultancy at Mott MacDonald. He has a background in creative directing; he also directed the animated show "Boys Dzangu" on YouTube, produced by T&T Animation Studios.
The captivating series revolves around the adventures of Pundo, Power, and Bhobhi, who embark on a journey through the vibrant and often humorous world of everyday ghetto youth life.
Through their escapades, the show offers an entertaining and relatable portrayal of the experiences and challenges faced by these young characters.
