By Titos Makondo
IT was the love of her mother lingo which triggered Wits University student Godfrey Gamboko Mabunda [GGM], in pursuing Language studies; Despite being a graduate of three diplomas and two degrees, the sky seems to be the limit to GGM, currently rolling for PhD.
Mr Mabunda, from the dusty streets of Chilonga in Chiredzi South told this publication that he has made up his mind to continue studying till he reaches highest levels so that he could become a pro-custodian to his darling vernacular- Xitsonga.
The enthusiastic graduate gave an account of his scholarly journey. ”l did my O’ Level at Chilonga High school and matric (A’ level) at Tswane High School in Hammanskraal, South Africa, and passed meritoriously.
“After matric, l got a scholarship to study towards a diploma in Marketing with the University of Johanessburg in 2005. In 2011, l enrolled at Milpark Business School for a PGDip in Financial Planning,” Mr Mabunda noted.
He took a break from books till 2018. With cravings to impact on her mother tongue, he returned to the corridors of academia at Wits University, where he did a PGDip in Translation, MA in African Languages, MA in Translation and currently doctoral studies.
He said he has drawn aspirations to the void he saw in the language affairs of her mother tongue.
“As much as l appreciated its elevation to official language status in 2013, l saw it as a paper tiger in many respect and a radical calling for the Tsonga people to priotise education,” he explained.
While his naked desire is to be part of the language worshippers, making strides in putting a stop to alarming erosion of Xitsonga verbiage, he also urged youthful to go for African languages at tertiary level.
His ‘takeway’ to young generation is: “The ink of the scholar is mightier than the blood of the martyr.
