Indigenous language Highway Code on cards

THE GOVERNMENT will soon introduce a Highway Code in indigenous languages to diversify and cater for people who are not conversant with the English language. Aspiring drivers will also soon write their provisional tests in the vernacular, a Government official has said.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Transport and Infrastructural Development permanent secretary Mr Theodius Chinyanga said the initiative will start with Ndebele and Shona, before the addition of other languages.

“For the first phase we will introduce the Shona and Ndebele language highway codes. People tend to understand better when they read, learn and write in a language they know,” he said.

Mr Chinyanga explained that when people use their own languages, they are simultaneously fostering a host of other essential skills such as critical thinking.

“Thus it is these skills that they take with them into understanding the information at hand.

“Not everyone understands English, but this will make it easy for everyone to understand when they use the language they know,” he said.

Mr Chinyanga said also gave an update on the number of depots that have been revamped with the Electronic Learners Licence Testing System (ELLT).

“To date 13 depots have been installed with the Electronic Learners Licence Testing System (ELLT),” he said.

These are Eastlea and Belvedere in Harare, Bulawayo, Chitungwiza, Bindura, Marondera, Mutare, Masvingo, Zvishavane, Kwekwe, Victoria Falls, Chirundu and Gwanda.

A highway code is a set of information, advice, guides and mandatory rules for road users and its objective is to promote road safety.