Buhe Mhungu animation project

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BaKalanga people are one of the oldest people in the Southern hemisphere of Africa. Their Kalanga language is one of the oldest languages spoken to date, according to Kalanga.org (2013) and Dube (2020). The people can be traced back to the Mapungubwe era (circa 1000), with ruins found in the Limpopo province, South Africa. Today, they are present in South Western Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Limpopo province, South Africa.

During colonization, language standardization was introduced, allowing some languages to be written, taught at school, and used officially by the colonial government. Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) had two major regions: Mashonaland, where Shona language was standardized, and Matabeleland, where Ndebele language was standardized. This led to other languages, like Kalanga, being gradually replaced by Ndebele and Shona. Consequently, Kalanga lost prestige and was not passed down to children. In 2013, Zimbabwe adopted a new constitution, making Kalanga one of the 16 official languages.

This project will significantly impact the development and promotion of the Kalanga language and its speakers through innovative means. It will create awareness of the language.

The Mhungu animation project is a multimedia initiative aimed at promoting and preserving the Kalanga language and culture. By combining technology, education, and creativity, the project will create a diverse, interactive experience for audiences of all ages. The project comprises a book, animation, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 3D action figures, offering innovative methods to captivate and engage the audience while educating them about Kalanga language and culture.

Inspired by the desire to gain wider recognition for the Kalanga language and promote family values found in the story, the Mhungu animation project is designed to be accessible and appealing to both children and adults. The project's ultimate goal is to foster a community of learners and advocates who take pride in their language and culture, ultimately preserving it for future generations.

By raising awareness and deepening appreciation for the Kalanga language and culture through this multimedia approach, the Mhungu animation project aims to contribute to the preservation and celebration of this rich cultural heritage.

If you want to hear more and support this project do not hesitate to contact us

We helped coach the author to find his voice in writing and helped him publish his boo. We partnered with the Alliance Francaise (Bulawayo) to launch his book. The turn-around amount of people who attended was huge and copies of the books sold. The event was also highlighted in B-Metro and the Chronicle newspapers.
https://www.chronicle.co.zw/fathers-disappearance-insipires-author/
https://www.bmetro.co.zw/security-guard-publishes-book/amp/ Summary of action