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Nduku Musyimi-Mulumba from Mbôngi Ya Ubuntu and a strong advocate for the KiUbuntu language

Nduku Musyimi-Mulumba from Mbôngi Ya Ubuntu and a strong advocate for the KiUbuntu language   Kabod is a language service provider specialising in quality language services in African and other Western languages. Our primary goal is to elevate African culture through our languages.  Nduku Musyimi-Mulumba passionately advocates for WanaUbuntu (African People Globally) rights, confronting systemic racism in the US federal government and beyond. She studies and promotes Pan-Africanism, dedicating herself to educating and uniting the global WanaUbuntu community against oppressive structures. Nduku co-founded Kumbukeni, an African-owned podcast, and started Mbôngi Ya Ubuntu, an organisation focused on financial liberation and cultural preservation. She teaches KiUbuntu (commonly known as Kiswahili) and works to demonstrate its significance as a unifying Bantu language.  Kabod: Can you explain the significance of your organisation, Mbôngi Ya Ubuntu, and its mission to promote the language you refer to as KiUbuntu?  Nduku: A few years ago, I began to examine my perspectives on African history and international relations critically. Initially, I held a somewhat naive view, believing that hard work alone was sufficient for success and that Western nations, particularly the United States, were benevolent forces in global affairs.  However, my outlook changed dramatically when I moved to the United States. Living there exposed me to the realities of how Africans and African Americans are often perceived and treated. I interacted with descendants of enslaved Africans and learned about the deeper historical context and systemic structures that have been designed to maintain inequality.  This awakening led me to take action. In collaboration with like-minded individuals, we established Kumbukeni, a media outlet allowing Africans to control their narrative. Later, recognising the need for a more comprehensive approach, we founded Mbôngi Ya Ubuntu, whose significance lies in its mission to promote our heritage, including the KiUbuntu language, and create a platform for self-determination and positive change for our people.  Kabod: What evidence do you have that KiUbuntu is distinct from the more widely known Kiswahili language, and what are the key differences between the two?  Nduku: We refer to the language commonly known as “Kiswahili” as “KiUbuntu”. This change in terminology reflects our understanding of the language’s true origins and cultural significance.  In many African languages, the prefix “Ki—” denotes “the language of.” Kiswahili would thus mean “the language of the Swahili people,” descendants of Arab settlers. However, we believe this language predates Arab arrival in East Africa by at least a century.  Our evidence lies in the linguistic commonalities across Bantu languages throughout Nsi Ya Ubuntu (our preferred term for Africa, meaning “land of Ubuntu”). For instance, the root “ntu” is widespread in these languages.  KiUbuntu is a composite of multiple Bantu languages, not a creation of Arab descendants. By renaming it, we’re reclaiming our cultural heritage and acknowledging the language’s true origins among the region’s indigenous people.  The key difference is not in the language itself, but in its attribution. We see KiUbuntu as the language of the Ubuntu people – all of us who share this cultural heritage – rather than a language belonging to a specific coastal group with Arab ancestry.  This renaming is part of a broader effort to decolonise our understanding of our history and culture, challenging narratives imposed during periods of Arab and European colonisation.  Kabod: Can you share why it’s important to preserve and promote this language?  Nduku: Preserving and promoting KiUbuntu is vital for fostering unity across Nsi Ya Ubuntu (Africa). As a common language, it can bridge communication gaps between diverse African communities, potentially reducing conflicts arising from perceived differences. This linguistic unity is crucial in cultivating a sense of shared identity and brotherhood among African peoples.  KiUbuntu is also a powerful tool for cultural independence and decolonisation. Using our language, rather than that of colonisers, is essential in our journey towards true liberation. KiUbuntu allows us to express our struggles and aspirations in our terms, free from the linguistic legacy of colonialism.  We are actively evolving KiUbuntu to be more inclusive and representative of all African nations. This includes incorporating words from West African languages and replacing Arabic-origin terms with those from various African languages. For instance, “rafiki” (friend) becomes “adamfo” (from Twi), and “saba” (seven) becomes “asa” (from Igbo). Through these efforts, we’re not just preserving a language, but nurturing a tool for cultural empowerment and pan-African unity.  Kabod: Can you elaborate on your organisation’s methodologies and approaches to collect data to demonstrate KiUbuntu’s distinct identity?  Nduku: Our organisation collects data on KiUbuntu’s distinct identity through direct interactions with Ubuntu speakers across regions. We engage with various African language speakers to find alternatives for Arabic words in KiUbuntu and collaborate with established scholars to expand existing research.  We prioritise developing our own linguistic resources and databases that accurately reflect KiUbuntu’s nuances, ensuring the preservation and evolution of our language remain in our hands. This approach avoids reliance on Western-created translations that often lack cultural context.  To further our mission, we offer KiUbuntu lessons and are working on publications in the language. These efforts promote KiUbuntu and provide data on its usage and evolution.   Kabod: What challenges have you faced in promoting KiUbuntu, and how do you navigate resistance or skepticism from those who may not recognise its distinct identity?  Nduku: We face several challenges in promoting KiUbuntu, including misconceptions about its identity, fears of cultural loss, competing language preferences, and colonial language bias. These issues reflect deeper concerns about linguistic colonialism and cultural preservation among African people.  To address these challenges, we consistently educate and engage with our audience. We clarify KiUbuntu’s origins, share personal experiences of multilingualism, and respectfully counter-arguments against its adoption. Our persistent efforts to provide factual information and engage in dialogue are crucial for gaining wider acceptance of KiUbuntu as a distinct and unifying African language.  Kabod: How do you envision the future of KiUbuntu, and what steps do you believe are necessary to ensure its preservation and wider adoption?  Nduku: We envision KiUbuntu as a unifying language across Nsi Ya Ubuntu (Africa). Our preservation and adoption strategy focuses on education, addressing misconceptions, and developing comprehensive learning resources. We’re combating linguistic colonialism by encouraging native speech patterns and promoting African linguistic pride.  To support wider adoption, we’re

Inaugural Launch of Afrolinguals Magazine

Two years ago, Kabod Language Services was founded with a vision to create structural systems and tools that would enhance visibility and promote collaboration among African language service professionals. Since then, Kabod has launched several initiatives, including the Marketplace of African Translators and Interpreters (MATI) and the African Language Translators and Teachers (ALATT) community. These projects have paved the way for collaborations like Afrolinguals Magazine, developed with the input of language professionals across Africa. Takeaways from the Launch The event was expertly moderated by Christian Elongue, the Managing Director of Kabod, who guided the discussions and ensured a smooth flow of insights from panelists and participants. The launch event featured a dynamic panel discussion, offering insights into the magazine’s origin, vision, and impact. The theme of “visibility” was highlighted as essential for industry progress, providing a dedicated platform for African language professionals to share ideas, network, and drive constructive industry dialogue. Below are some key insights from the speakers:  1. Johan Botha – Director of Folio Online Johan emphasised the role of Afrolinguals as a powerful tool for advocacy and visibility for African languages and language professionals. He highlighted that while a wealth of information is available, it can often feel overwhelming. A dedicated publication focusing on the African language industry, such as Afrolinguals, provides a centralised, curated source for insights and developments. Johan also noted that such platforms foster community among African language professionals by showcasing industry achievements and addressing unique challenges to counter misconceptions and attract investment. 2. Florian Faes – CEO of Slator Florian underscored the dual role of publications in content creation and curation. He noted that while original content is essential, the ability to distil and highlight the most critical industry trends is invaluable. Florian applauded Afrolinguals’ role in creating a cohesive community for the African language industry. He noted that, unlike established language organisations in North America and Europe, Africa lacked a unified industry platform until now. He expressed excitement for Afrolinguals’ potential to connect and represent language professionals across the continent, commending the initiative and expressing his interest in reading and sharing future issues. 3. Isabella Massardo – Content Strategist at Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) Isabella Isabella expressed enthusiasm for the magazine as a resource to deepen her understanding of the African localisation industry. She looks forward to exploring this market and expressed hopes for future collaborations between GALA and Afrolinguals, valuing the magazine as a fresh and necessary addition to the global language services landscape The panelists unanimously agreed that Afrolinguals is a significant addition to the industry, providing critical insights and contributing to the growth of the African language services sector. Afrolinguals stand as a beacon for the African language services industry, providing much-needed visibility, knowledge-sharing, and professional development opportunities. The inaugural issue symbolises Kabod’s commitment to building an informed and collaborative language service community in Africa. Through this publication, Kabod aims to inspire more investment, engagement, and innovation within African language services, ensuring that Africa’s diverse linguistic heritage is preserved and promoted globally. In case you missed the event, you can rewatch the recording here and download the magazine here.   If you would like to contribute or advertise in the next edition of Afrolinguals Magazine, kindly reach out to us at: languages@kabodgroup.com

Multilingual Course Material Translation for African Leadership Academy

Client Profile African Leadership Academy (ALA) is a prestigious institution dedicated to developing the next generation of African leaders. They aim to enable lasting peace and shared prosperity by identifying, developing, and connecting Africa’s future leaders. ALA creates a tight-knit, pan-African community that empowers each student with the skills and mindsets required for transformative leadership. Scope ALA needed to ensure that all students, regardless of their language proficiency, had access to course materials in a language they could understand. Specifically, they required translation of their course materials and other learning resources from English to French. This was crucial to maintaining their inclusive approach and effectively catering to their diverse student body from across the African continent. Our Solution To address ALA’s needs, we implemented the following: Results Through our specialised translation services, we helped Africa Leadership Academy overcome language barriers in their educational materials. We supported ALA’s mission of developing a diverse group of future African leaders by providing high-quality French translations of their course content. Our ability to handle various document formats, maintain quality, and deliver ahead of schedule contributed to the success of this project. It reinforced ALA’s commitment to inclusive, pan-African leadership development. “It was nice working with you on this project. Thank you for your collaboration, and I look forward to connecting with you again.” – Wilfrid Ahouansou, Program Manager – University Engagement & Partnerships, African Leadership Academy.

The Next Billion Conference

Africa’s digital economy is booming, and as a language professional, the opportunities are limitless. But thriving isn’t just about skills: it’s about knowing how to market, sell, and grow your business.   Join us for the 2024 Marketing and Sales Conference for Language Professionals and Freelancers and learn how to turn 2025 into your breakthrough year! 🚀   🗓 Dates: 9th–12th December 2024   🌍 Theme: Empowering African Language Professionals to Market, Sell, and Thrive   📍 Venue: Zoom   Click below 👇 to register now! Click here 🎯 Why attend? ✅ Master marketing and sales strategies tailored for freelancers.   ✅ Get actionable tips to attract clients and boost income.   ✅ Network with industry leaders and like-minded pros.   Let’s thrive together in 2025! [pdf-embedder url= "https://languages.kabodgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Next-Billion-Conference-Agend_24.pdf" newwindow="off"]

Inaugural Launch of Afrolinguals Magazine

The launch of Afrolinguals Magazine on 14 November 2024 marked a historic milestone for the African language services industry. Inspired by Multilingual, a globally recognised publication in the language services industry, Afrolinguals seeks to establish a dedicated resource for the African context. As one of the first publications dedicated exclusively to this field, Afrolinguals aims to provide a knowledge-sharing platform, foster collaboration, and elevate the industry across the continent.

Championing Igbo Language Preservation: A Conversation with Onyekachi Ogbu, a Young Igbo Advocate

Explore the journey of Onyekachi Ogbu, a young Igbo language advocate and professional, as he discusses his passion for preserving and promoting the Igbo language. This insightful interview delves into the challenges of providing Igbo language services, the impact of technology on language preservation, and innovative ways to sustain African linguistic diversity. Discover how language learning apps and other technologies can engage younger generations with African languages, and learn about the future of African language technology

Nduku Musyimi-Mulumba from Mbôngi Ya Ubuntu and a strong advocate for the KiUbuntu language  

Explore the mission of Mbôngi Ya Ubuntu and its efforts to promote KiUbuntu (commonly known as Kiswahili) as a unifying language for African people globally. In this insightful interview with Nduku Musyimi-Mulumba, learn about the significance of preserving African languages, the challenges faced in promoting KiUbuntu, and the organization’s vision for fostering pan-African unity through language. Discover how technology and grassroots efforts are being used to reclaim and evolve this important cultural heritage.

Preserving African Languages through Technology: A Conversation with Olanrewaju Samuel, Founder of Linguistics Island, a Community for Linguists.

Preserving African Languages through Technology: A Conversation with Olanrewaju Samuel, Founder of Linguistics Island, a Community for Linguists. Kabod is a language service provider  that specialises in providing quality language services in African languages as well as other Western languages. Our primary goal is to elevate African culture through our languages. Mr. Olanrewaju Samuel is a graduate student at the Department of Linguistics, University of Toronto (Canada). His research focuses on the fascinating fields of Phonology, Phonetics and Computational Linguistics, which explore the intricate systems of speech sounds, their production and the application of computational methods to linguistic analysis. Alongside his academic endeavors, Mr. Samuel founded the Linguistics Island. This community serves as a platform to both educate individuals on Linguistics and offer African language’ scholars valuable opportunities. Click here to listen to the full Podcast Kabod: Can you provide us with a brief background or information about your community? I have been running Linguistics Island since 2014. The idea behind the community is that we want to connect with linguists from all around Africa, the ones that are working on African languages, those who will be interested in coming to talk to us about their languages, share opportunities and grow the African space. This vision emerged even before the advent of me getting a lot more into natural language processing and computational linguistics. So, the community has been growing since then and now, we have over five hundred members from what began as a small group of just five or six individuals.   We’ve had a lot of successes and challenges too. But basically, I think our successes surpass our challenges. From scholarship to conferences, from conferences to opportunities, to job opportunities and many things. Currently, we are working on a volunteer project which I call “Yawa Linguistics.” “Yawa’’ is in Pidgin language that means “what is going on linguistics?” And we are doing that to create the first open-source dataset that is tonal, that is on proverbs and is a different task on the parallel languages we have represented in the group. These are Hausa, Yoruba, Ogba and other languages in Nigeria. Kabod: What progress have you made so far with regards to Yawa Linguistics? In terms of progress, everybody is getting their hands dirty in terms of data.  We have a collaborative platform we are building dataset from. I had a symposium where I explained the modalities, the reason, the methodologies and other things that are needful to push the project. So, in terms of progress, I would say we are already on the 20 percent level. We just started not quite long and it is a big project which I’m not hoping to finish in the next 6 months because I want it to be representative enough; I want it to be written by Africans because Africans must learn how to write their own history and not to let another person talk about their history. So let us own it. Kabod: Going back to your experience in Rwanda, I know you taught natural language processing for linguists in Rwanda. How was the experience for you?  Can you share some key takeaways from your teaching experience in Rwanda?  I taught Natural Language Processing (NLP) in a nontechnical way, which is without coding, without the use of technological jargons, emphasizing Africans, particularly Rwandese, creating and managing their own data independently. By leveraging linguistic tools familiar to linguists, not typical coding languages, we bridged the NLP gap through collaboration between NLP practitioners and native speaker linguists from Rwanda. Major highlights included widespread participation from across Rwanda and successful training sessions at the University of Rwanda. One key thing is that Africa is growing and I’m very happy to be part of the community and people that are growing Africa in terms of technology. Kabod: As the leader of the Yoruba data sets creation for the Aya Project, can you share insight into some challenges that you faced and how you overcame them. While you are speaking on that, could you highlight the role your community members played in supporting the Aya project? The Aya project was a very fantastic initiative by Cohere AI. The aim was to create a dataset collaboratively with native speakers. The challenges I faced started from the dataset itself. The datasets were not properly written. So we had to go through series of orthographic corrections and separating verbs from objects. Additionally, we faced difficulties with finding the right keyboard. What we did was to use Microsoft shortcut to deal with the tone and the subscripts that are on some of the special letters. The other challenge was maintaining contributor motivation. So I had a lot of people rushing in at the initial stage of the dataset creation, but at some point, people were not really motivated. To address these, I organized weekly meetings to remind contributors of the project’s significance, resulting in periodic surges in participation. These challenges underscored the importance of community involvement, dataset integrity and sustained motivation in linguistic projects. Kabod: How do you envision the future of African linguistics, especially in the context of advancements in computational linguistics and AI chatbots.  I envision a future where Africa plays a pivotal role in AI and global development. Despite current challenges such as limited resources and expertise, initiatives like Masakhane and Mbaza NLP are driving progress. These efforts aim to empower African voices and create technologies that reflect our culture and language. I believe the future holds more African datasets, products and projects where Africans are actively involved in their creation, shaping a more inclusive and representative digital landscape.

Kabod Language Services is your trusted partner in breaking down communication barriers.

Are you looking to expand your reach to new people and markets?  Look no further!  Kabod Language Services is your trusted partner in breaking down communication barriers. Our expert team is equipped to handle : •⁠  ⁠Expert Translation and Interpretation •⁠  ⁠Precise Transcription and Voiceover •⁠  ⁠Tailored Localization and Transcreation •⁠  ⁠Seamless Subtitling Services •⁠  ⁠Top-notch Revision and Post-Editing Services •⁠  ⁠Advanced Machine Translation Post-Editing Services •⁠  ⁠Clear and Concise Plain Language Services •⁠  ⁠Unparalleled Linguistic Quality Assurance Experience the difference with Kabod Language Services. Contact us today at languages@kabodgroup.com

There Will Be More Collaboration Amongst African Language LSPs – Oluwatobi J. Oladipo

The language industry in Africa is full of untapped opportunities. Kabod has ventured on a journey of identifying, documenting, and highlighting inspiring stories and innovative projects from entrepreneurs, researchers, and freelancers in the Translation, Interpretation, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) communities. The final goal is to celebrate African professionals in the language industry and facilitate knowledge and experience sharing.  Mr. Oluwatobi J. Oladipo is the co-founder of iVoiceAfrica, he is a voice-over artist and a translator in Nigeria. His love and devotion to the development of African languages are unmatched.  Kabod: What attracts you to the language industry? I have had the opportunity to live in different cities around the world and to interact with different people that didn’t necessarily speak the languages that I’m fluent in. When I saw that I got to a point in my life or to some places where I could not particularly communicate with the next person, I began to think of possible solutions. How about a solution where, although not a solution necessary that we all speak the same language, but a solution where you can have an understanding of what I am saying, irrespective of when we speak two different languages? And that, for me, was the one thing that attracted me to the language industry to see how humans can actually communicate irrespective of the language differences that they have. Kabod: What does translation mean to you? So this would also be a continuation of the last question because translation for me is beyond the text-to-text representation of what is trying to be said or what is trying to be expressed. I believe that translation also embodies mannerisms and using the right tones and the right principles of that language to communicate. Furthermore, I also believe that the reason why we do translation work as individuals or companies is because we are trying to actually speak to a certain audience or we are trying to speak to an actual person. It would only just be right if I spoke to you in a way that you would understand and that, again, is the basis of communication. I need to ensure that you understand and you can put into context what I’m saying to you. Kabod: How did the idea of creating iVoiceAfrica come up? On this question, iVoiceAfrica, the name is special to me because it was a name that I never thought about. It was a name that just came to me when I started my career as an independent voiceover artist. I returned back to Nigeria full-time in 2017. While I was in Nigeria, I started freelancing for broadcast agencies, I meant to say, and radio stations and ad agencies. I remember at the time I was working with a company in Barcelona, one of the requirements that they needed from me was a website of my own. I took a week off and I created a website on my own from scratch. I remember when I wanted to purchase the domain, the only name or the only thing that came to my head was iVoiceAfrica because I was already a voiceover artist. I used to do voiceovers in French and English and sometimes in Pidgin, with my unique African accent. I think why I chose that name because I wanted people to know that you are unique despite being an African and even having a distinct African accent. I wanted people to know that you’re unique and be proud to show it off to the world that this is what you do and what you’re about. That was why I believe that the name came to my head. But most significantly, I knew that I wanted to express this feeling to every African that was coming in as a voiceover artist. Even if you’re a content creator, I wanted to be able to extend this to everybody saying, irrespective of what accent you have or what language that you speak, it is special and unique. Most importantly, people need it. That became the new business model of iVoiceAfrica when I decided to transition from being just a voiceover artist.  Kabod: How did you become a co-founder? When we started working, that is when we started creating localization work for our clients in terms of translations, voiceovers, and interpretations; we got accepted to Microsoft for startups in 2022, the first quarter of 2022. One of the requirements that we had at the time was that we needed to create a tech-enabled company. So at that time, we had one of our friends, who used to be a consultant for us on technology and business development and strategy. Hence, she joined us full-time as a co-founder and the technical co-founder and we began to develop new business models and new business cases for how we can transition to be a tech-enabled company. Although that is still a work in progress, we are very sure that sometime this year, 2023, we will be able to announce to the world what we are trying to do next as a company.  Kabod: What are some challenges you encountered during your career? For some of the challenges that we encountered in our career, I’m going to answer this from the perspective of iVoiceAfrica, not myself as a voiceover artist, although they still go hand in hand. I think the biggest challenge that we face in localization, particularly from Africa, is that we have lots of languages. We have over 2,000 languages and 7,000 dialects in Africa. In addition to that, finding professional resources that are able to deliver quality in these languages is also very hard. We always have to go the extra mile, do the extra marketing, and do the extra sales. The fact that I speak multiple African languages also helps. For instance, when I’m speaking to people in places or countries like Congo, Guinea Bissau, and so on, I communicate effectively with them. In some regards, that could also be

Language Translation Price List

Check out our Language Translation price list. We offer unbeatable services in the Language Translation Industry. TRANSLATION SERVICES French/English/All African local languages Source document type Price per page Ghanaian Birth Certificate/Acte de Naissance Ghanéen GHS 80 Driving Licence/Permis de Conduire GHS 80 Police Record/Casier Judiciaire GHS 80 Certificate/ Diplôme GHS 80 Results Slip/Relevé de Note GHS 80 Identity Card/Carte d’Identité GHS 80 Passport/Passeport GHS 80 Non-ghanaian Birth Certificate/Acte de naissance non ghanéen GHS 100 Transcript/Bulletin Scolaire GHS 100 Personal Letters/Lettres Personnelles GHS 100 Non Academic Testimonials/Attestation non scolaire GHS 100 Business Letters/ Lettres Commerciales GHS 100 Marriage Certificate/Acte de Mariage GHS 100 Death Certificate/Acte de Décès GHS 100 Adverstising Documents/ Documents Publicitaires GHS 130 Product Labels/Étiquettes de Produits GHS 130 Curriculum Vitae GHS 130 Medical Reports/Rapport Médicaux GHS 130 Invoices/Factures/Récépissé GHS 130 Commercial Documents/Documents Commerciaux GHS 130 Conference Documents/Documents de Conférences GHS 130 Technical Documents/ Documents Techniques GHS 130 Legal Documents/Documents Juridiques GHS 130 Bank Statement/ Attestation Bancaire GHS 130 Other/Divers GHS 130 For any additional information, please contact the language services department via the following email address: language@languages.kabodgroup.com/

We Must Share The Good News & Beauty Embedded in our languages – Oluwadamilare Temitope Igbayiloye

The language industry in Africa is full of untapped opportunities. Kabod has ventured on a journey of identifying, documenting and highlighting inspiring stories and innovative projects from entrepreneurs, researchers and freelancers in the Translation, Interpretation and Natural Language Processing (NLP) communities. The final goal is to celebrate African professionals in the language industry and facilitate knowledge and experience sharing.  Ms. Oluwadamilare Temitope Igbayiloye is an African languages activist in Nigeria. She is a Yoruba Language Coach, Translator, Content Creator and Founder of Akoniledeyoruba, an online Yoruba School. She helps individuals connect with their audience in Yoruba language such that they will be proud of their identity & values.  Kabod: What attracts you to the language industry?  As a native speaker, I am naturally endeared to my language and my grandmother encouraged me to teach it to foreigners when I was still a teenager. All these didn’t really matter to me until now because I see the result and feedback from parents and students about the transformation of our Yorùbá language school in their lives. Kabod: What do African languages mean to you?  African languages mean a way of life to express myself and solve problems in the language I understand. Kabod: How did the idea of creating Akonilede Yoruba come up? After struggling with the thought of teaching children the Yoruba language, I eventually agreed to start a mini school in my living room with our nine-month-old daughter and my neighbour’s children in November 2018. So, I had a family meeting with my 3 younger brothers, my husband and a young guy who designed our first website then, we came up with different kinds of names, checked online and with CAC, (business registration site in Nigeria). I told them I wanted the word “Yorùbá” to be part of the name and I don’t want to focus on children only but teenagers and adults, especially those in the diaspora. Then we got the word “Ẹni” which means ‘a person’, and after so much deliberation we all coined the word together “Akọ́nilédè Yorùbá” which means ‘A Yoruba language coach’.  Kabod: Why did you choose Yoruba? Do you plan on adding more languages to your company?  I chose Yoruba because I understand the nitty-gritty of the language. Aside from being a native speaker, I studied the language up to the master’s level. For now, I’m only focused on Yoruba, probably in the future, we’ll add other languages. Kabod: What are some challenges you encountered during your career and this project ? One of the challenges I encountered at the early stage of my career was parental acceptance. Most parents don’t want their children to learn about their mother tongue while others believe that their children will pick it naturally and there’s no need to enrol them to learn from a school. I can confidently say that it doesn’t work that way anymore because there are several reasons why the child will not pick up the language naturally, thereby leaving the child to grow up and being a novice of his/her language. Also, there are not enough L2 Yoruba resources available online (I spent long hours designing my content, videos and resources, to teach the students). Then, the lack of Professional Yoruba language teachers. Most Yoruba teachers then were not willing to invest in themselves and learn how to teach the language online, which is totally different from the classroom teaching style they are all used to. I had to organise different kinds of training to enlighten Yoruba language teachers on how to teach online using the best practices and innovative methods. Kabod: Can you share some success stories of projects involving your company ? One of our major success stories is that we were able to educate parents on the importance of allowing their children to learn the language. We also have students from 8-10 countries who are learning the language from our school now. We have more than 10 professional teachers who are teaching the language in our school. I was also awarded the National Education Advancement Ambassador by SNEA and our language school was finally registered in the United States of America. To mention a few. Kabod: How can Africans position themselves to better tap opportunities in the global language industry? Africans can position themselves to tap into global opportunities in the global language industry by showcasing and going to the marketplace. If we don’t share the good news and the beauty embedded in our language and its benefits, no one will know about the language. I realised that most language upholders are not bold enough to talk about their language at national or international programs, conferences. When there are conversations at such events, as language upholders, we should strive to share our opinions in our language and proffer solutions to problems using our local languages. With this practice, I believe more attention will be given to African languages because of the solution we bring to the table. Kabod: What do you think are some challenges African languages face and how does your job help in solving those challenges ?  The challenges are numerous, I will list a few. Inferiority – They’ve lied to us that our language is vernacular. I confidently say that my language is noble, my language is my identity – Èdè mi ni Ìdánimọ̀ mi. Solution – My job at Akọ́nilédè Yorùbá helps in solving this problem by sensitising our parents and sharing the values embedded in the language and culture. Unavailability of language resources – Most African languages words, cultures and traditions are not documented. Solution – In my school, we are documenting most Yoruba words, especially words that upcoming generations can use in their daily conversation, in our Yoruba bank word. Lack of recognition – In Africa, most of our languages are not recognized. Unlike other languages, there is no national day set aside for the recognition of our language. I believe that if this is in place, it will inspire the language upholders,

The People First Approach To HR In The 21st Century

Christus Codo, Programmes Assistant, People’s Management Unit Human Resources (HR) is an essential function of any organization, responsible for managing the most valuable asset, i.e., its employees. The traditional approach to HR has been focused on administrative tasks such as payroll, benefits, and compliance. However, with the changing times, businesses are moving towards a people-first approach to HR, where employees’ needs and experiences are prioritized. In this article, we will explore what it means to have a people-first HR approach. A people-first approach to HR focuses on employees’ needs, experiences, and well-being, rather than just administrative tasks. It involves providing employees with an engaging and meaningful experience that motivates and empowers them to achieve their full potential. It also involves developing a culture that supports and values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This concept focuses on people not on the company but on the staff’s personal and intellectual development so that as they grow they can also contribute to the growth of the company. “Take care of the people, and they will take care of the company’’ says Tracie Sponenberg. In the twenty-first century era, you don’t want to be a manager who seeks his/her interest first but who rather looks out for their staff, values them, and encourages them. You don’t want to be the reason why your workers don’t want to come to work, but you want to be the reason why they enjoy their work, and also the office environment.  From a people-first perspective, it’s important to keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to be a solution to the problems employees face, rather than being a problem for them. By focusing on creating a positive work environment and providing resources and support to employees, you can help them overcome any challenges they may encounter. This approach not only fosters a sense of trust and respect between employees and management but also contributes to a more engaged and productive workforce.  Therefore, as HR you should prioritize understanding and addressing the needs of your employees to ensure they are the solution, not the problem. Also, be an advocate for people, put yourselves in their shoes by prioritizing their needs, and by doing so, you create a more engaged workforce which leads to better performance and increased innovation. Finally, the more you value your workers, the more they value their work and protect the company’s interest. This strategy connects more with employees, whose needs and well-being are timely recognized and prioritized. That’s why at Kabod, we intentionally provide employees with opportunities for professional development, promote work-life balance, and build a culture of trust and respect. This approach results in lower turnover rates, higher job satisfaction, and better business outcomes overall. By putting people first, your business too can create a more supportive and productive work environment that benefits both employees and the organization as a whole. In this perspective, as HR leaders we must :  In a people-first approach, technology is crucial in facilitating employee experiences and supporting their needs. By utilizing technology to automate administrative tasks, businesses can free up time and resources to focus on more meaningful and engaging interactions with employees. For example, employee self-service portals can enable employees to access and update their personal information, benefits, and pay, reducing the workload of HR staff.  Additionally, technology can be leveraged to support remote work, flexible schedules, and personalized development opportunities. However, it’s important to keep in mind that technology should always be used in a way that enhances, rather than replaces, human interaction and connection in the workplace. Ultimately, technology can be a valuable tool in a people-first approach, and it should be used strategically and intentionally to support and empower employees.  CONCLUSION The paper first to people first is one innovative way to shift people’s mindset about how they perceive the Human Resource field and how things are being handled in the office environment. It exposes more managers to their employees and vice versa. It puts people first and aims to streamline processes while minimizing the use of paper. By adopting a digital-first approach, businesses can improve their HR processes, increase efficiency, save on costs, and have a positive impact on the environment. It is an approach that businesses should consider to improve their HR operations while also contributing to a more sustainable future.

10 African authors writing only in African languages

KIRE, MAGÎTÛKORA, MAGÎTÛOROTA Mokire na mîtokaa mîkururaniona thuti hûre bathina iratû njiru ta ndumana thaa irametameta. Magîtûkora tumîte ibarûana mathîna maitû ng’ong’oona mîatuka itû magûrûinîNa ndangari iria tûîkîraga. Makîîarîrîa na thiomi cia rûrayamagîtûorotaga ithuî andû ethîmakiuga ati mîthiîre ituTi ûmwe na ûndûire witû. This piece is a Kikuyu poem both written and translated into English by the Kenyan writer Bryan Ngartia. It is generally a story by a poor rural young person criticizing the ‘They’. These are the learned elite who take pride in their origins and culture but blame the youth for abandoning their cultures without seeing their “motorcades,”  “ironed suits,” “polished shoes,” “glittering watches,” and “foreign languages.” The poem silently bites at this habit which is quite common in Africa.’ Though I do not speak nor understand the Kikuyu language, it is good to see and read a poem written in an African language. It is beautiful to write in one’s local language.  Writing in general is not an easy task, let alone in an African language. However, with the aim of promoting and preserving their language, quite a number of brave African intellectuals have distinguished themselves by writing in their local languages right from the beginning of their careers or shifted from writing in foreign languages to writing in African languages only.  This piece pays tribute to these courageous authors, of whom 7  have passed. I- AUTHORS STILL ALIVE 1- EBRAHIM HUSSEIN (Tanzania: 1943 – ) Ebrahim Hussein is an iconoclastic Tanzanian playwright and poet. He is a leading member of the pioneering generation of African theater artists that rose to prominence in the revolutionary ferment of the 1960s and 1970s. He is also one of the best-known Swahili playwright, Tanzania’s most complex literary personality and a theorist whose dissertation on the theater in Tanzania remains the standard reference work. His plays are a corpus of theatrical material with great significance to an understanding of Tanzania’s political and social development in relation to the Swahili/Islamic coastal culture, of which he was a part. The Ebrahim Hussein Poetry prize is an eponym literary prize which is awarded annually since 2014 to the winner of the poetry contest under the same name. Follow this link to get the full list of his works. 2- PENINA O. MUHANDO (Tanzania: 1948 – ) Penina Muhando is a Tanzanian Swahili playwright, theorist and practitioner of  Theatre for Development (a movement that sought to encourage marginalized people to use plays to engage in issues important to their lives within their communities and with experts) in Africa. She is one of the few female writers published in the Swahili language as of the late 20th century. She rose to become a Professor and Head of the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Dar es Salaam. Her plays explore a variety of themes but are generally concerned with contemporary problems involved in Tanzanian society’s rapid adjustment to development and westernization.  In addition to her plays, Muhando wrote several scholarly works in English dealing with Swahili literature, including Culture and Development: The Popular Theatre Approach in Africa (1991). She also appeared in the film Mama Tumaini (1986). Her work is generally distinguished by excellent characterizations and a natural, realistic use of modern standard Swahili.  3- NGUGI WA THIONG’O (Kenya : 1938 – ) Ngugi wa Thiong’o, originally named James Thiong’o Ngũgĩ, is one of Africa’s most important and influential postcolonial writers. He began his writing career with novels written in English, which  revolved around postcolonial themes of the individual and the community in Africa versus colonial powers and cultures. As he became sensitized to the effects of colonialism in Africa, Ngugi adopted his traditional name and also committed to writing only in Kikuyu and Swahili after a one year imprisonment without trial by the Kenyan government for the staging of a politically controversial play.  He is a perennial favorite for the Nobel Prize in Literature, and  the winner of an uncountable number of awards and honors. His popular Weep Not, Child (1964) was the first major novel in English by an East African. In March 2021, The Perfect Nine became the first work written in an indigenous African language to be longlisted for the International Booker Prize, with Ngũgĩ becoming the first nominee as both the author and translator of the same book.  He is the author of 8 novels, including 3 in Bantu, 3 short story collections, 3 plays in English and 1 in Bantu, 5 memoirs, 10 other nonfiction books, 4 children’s books. He considers language as a key tool for decolonizing the mindset and culture of African readers and writers and wrote the following works in Kenya’s Kikuyu : II- AUTHORS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY 4- SHAABAN ROBERT, (Tanzania: 1909 – 1962) Shaaban bin Robert, is a Tanzanian poet, novelist, essayist, and biographer, considered one of  the greatest writers of the Swahili language. This great man is also known as the “Father of Kiswahili Literature” or “the Shakespeare of Africa.” Aside from their purely literary value in the development of written Swahili literature, his works provided an important link between the origins of the language among the coastal ethnic Swahili and its acceptance and usage in the broader East African cultural milieu. He promoted the development and popularization of the Swahili language, principally through the writing of more than twenty works of multiple literary genres that were widely read in the 20th century.  He wrote tales and poems such as “Sanaa ya Ushairi” and lectured on poetry and its relation to Swahili culture.  He produced an autobiography, Maisha yangu (1949; “My Life”), and a biography, Maisha ya Siti Binti Saad, mwimbaji wa Unguja (1958; “Life of Siti Binti Saad, Poetess of Zanzibar”). His essays were collected in Insha ya mashairi (1959; “Essays and Poems’) and his notable work is Kusadikika. His remarkable contribution to the promotion of Kiswahili literature was celebrated through two awards, including the Margaret Wrong Prize and Medal for African Literature. 5– DANIEL OLORUNFEMI FAGUNWA (Nigeria – 1903-1963) D.O. Fagunwa was a fiction and creative writer, born at Oke-Igbo (now Ondo State). He was a teacher and Yoruba